Synopsis

Assisi, 1211.
Chiara is eighteen years old and one night she runs away from home to join her friend Francesco: from that moment her life changes forever.
The story of a Saint, the story of a girl and her dream of freedom.

Director’s note
Francesco’s and Chiara’s stories are really exciting. To rediscover the political, other than spiritual, dimension of their “radical” lives – the choice of poverty; of a life at the margins of an unfair society; the dream and foundation of a community life without any hierarchy or power division – makes us realize, while we question the mysteries of faith and religion, the impact that Franciscan beliefs and practices have had on secular thought. The story of Chiara’s life, unknown to many, offers us the energy of a rebirth, the contagious enthusiasm of youth, but also carries the tragic nature of a revolution, of any revolution worthy of the name.
Susanna Nicchiarelli

Directed by

Produced by

Vivo film with Rai Cinema e Tarantula, with the support of Eurimages, MIC – Direzione Generale Cinema, Regione Lazio, with the partecipation of Wallimage, with the support of Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge – Casa, Kafka Pictures Belfius

Produced by Marta Donzelli and Gregorio Paonessa
Co-produced by Joseph Rouschop e Valérie Bournonville
Executive producer Alessio Lazzareschi

Cast

Margherita Mazzucco  Chiara
Andrea Carpenzano  Francesco
Carlotta Natoli  Cristiana
Paola Tiziana Cruciani  Balvina
Flaminia Mancin  Pacifica
Valentino Campitelli  Elia
Paolo Briguglia  Leone
Giulia Testi  Cecilia
Luigi Vestuto  Pacifico

and with the partecipation of
Luigi Lo Cascio  Cardinal Ugolino / Pope Gregorio IX

Crew

written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli
script consultant Chiara Frugoni
DOP Crystel Fournier
editor Stefano Cravero
production designer Ludovica Ferrario
costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini
hairdresser Desirée Corridoni
make-up artist Valentina Tomljanovic
production sound Adriano Di Lorenzo
author of the musics Anonima Frottolisti
delegate producer Serena Alfieri
line producer Maurizio Milo
first assistant director Nicola Scorza
casting Francesca Borromeo
continuity Michela Bozzini
dialogue editor Daniela Bassani, Marzia Cordò
sound editor  Marc Bastien
mix Franco Piscopo
VFX supervisor Massimiliano Battista
choreographer Letizia Dradi

Technical data

Country Italia / Belgio
Year 2022
Running time 106’

Festivals and awards

79. Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica di Venezia – Concorso

International Sales

The Match Factory

Italian Distribution

01 Distribution