Spettacolo.
Each summer, for the past 50 years, the townspeople of Monticchiello have transformed their cobble-stone piazza into a stage, and told stories about life as they see it. The medieval Tuscan hamlet is tiny, population 136. And the troupe is aged, with about a third of the original cast now dead.
U.S. filmmakers Jeff Malmberg and Chris Shellen stumbled upon the bucolic village and its theatre, Teatro Povero di Monticchiello, while on vacation. Intrigued by the people's resilience and resourcefulness, they made a film, Spettacolo, about a theatrical tradition that lets ordinary Italians discuss their most pressing concerns – wealthy foreigners buying their land, the steady drain of youth to big cities and financial hardships brought on by unscrupulous governments or big business.
Beautifully shot and quietly told, the documentary celebrates Italy's rich past, colourful personalities and unique culture (and yes, their love of rustic food). But mostly it's an unsentimental tale about a community trying desperately to hold onto a cherished way of life, while a new generation walks the other way.
Spettacolo opens Feb. 9 in Toronto.
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The Associated Press