A film about the life of Francis of Assisi, starring Elio Germano as the 13th-century saint, premiered Sunday at Assisi's Lyrick Theatre and is slated to hit theatres across Italy on October 6.
Francis' Dream (Il Sogno di Francesco), directed by Renaud Fély and Arnaud Louvet, co-stars Alba Rohrwacher as St. Clare and was filmed in the Italian region of Umbria as well as in France and Belgium.
The directors said the film is "more a film with Francis than about him", as it tells the story of the saint and his companions of the 'Rule' - the life they chose to lead - and the founding of the Franciscan Order with its strenuous fight for peace.
"It's the most Franciscan film ever made about him because it doesn't put Francis at the centre - even he didn't want to be recognised as a saint - and because it tells the experiences of his companions, who up until now have always been left in the background," Germano said at a press conference Sunday at Assisi's City Hall, along with co-star Marcello Mazzarella, who plays Rufino.
The directors said they wanted to "put the focus on the monks' view of (Francis) and on his humanitarian and political experiences", and said they chose Germano to play St. Francis because he's "a vibrant actor who knows how to relate to the human and natural world that surrounds him".
"With him, we were sure that we could avoid an interpretation of Francis that was too staid," they said.
At the heart of the film is the conflict between Francis's dream and the institutional realities of the time.
In 1209, Pope Innocent III refused Francis's first version of the 'Rule', and his companion Elia da Cortona (played by Jérémie Renier) guided him through the difficult dialogue between the confraternity and the papacy.
In order to receive recognition for the Order, Elia tries to convince Francis to let go of his intransigent approach and draw up a new Rule, amidst a central power that wants them to conform.
The directors were in attendance at the premiere together with Germano and Mazzarella, in an event organised by the Region of Umbria, Parthenos Distribution and Terni's People and Religions Film Festival, which opened its 12th edition with the premiere of the film on Sunday.
On Tuesday, St. Francis Day, the film will screen at Perugia's Zenith theatre prior to its nationwide release Thursday.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
