Cine-concert with live music performed by Maestro Mario Rahi.
Directed by Enrico Guazzoni in 1911, The Poor Man of Assisi is an Italian silent short film on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and was the first cinematic work dedicated to the saint. Shot in Assisi, it was produced for the International Exhibition of Turin.
Set in the evocative 14th century, the story recalls an age rich in light, landscapes, and spirituality, in which the figure of Saint Francis takes shape. Through his human and spiritual journey, the film portrays the “Poor Man of Assisi” as a blend of poetry, simplicity, and deep humanity: from the opposition of his father Pietro Bernardone to his spiritual love for Clare of Assisi, culminating in his radical choice to devote himself entirely to Christian ideals of charity and poverty.
The result is a narrative filled with luminous figures and evocative settings, where the inner lives of the characters merge with the beauty of the natural world. The film offers an intense and harmonious vision, combining poetic strength and authenticity, and enhancing every element, from staging to performance, with remarkable freshness and sensitivity.