A fateful shipwreck casts a group of convicted Camorra criminals and a handful of itinerant actors on a prison-island, where the embittered warden (Ennio Fantastichini) lives with his young daughter Miranda (Alba Gaïa Bellugi). When the gangsters infiltrate the theatrical troupe, the warden commands Campese (Sergio Rubini), the head of the company, to stage a performance of Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST in a bid to distinguish the thespians from the miscreants. Director Gianfranco Cabiddu creates an intriguing comedy that mirrors the plot of THE TEMPEST and transports the audience and the prisoners via the magic of theater. Amidst a stunning, pristine landscape evocative of Mediterranean colors and scents, a simple stage offers the performers the chance to transcend their personal, wretched lives and touch a deeper dimension of their characters. Based on Eduardo De Filippo THE ART OF COMEDY and his translation of THE TEMPEST, Cabiddu’s work invites reflections on the universal themes of guilt, revenge, redemption, and forgiveness. This profoundly human drama also features a budding romance between one of the criminals and the warden’s daughter, excellent ensemble acting, a uniquely Sardinian shepherd (Cabiddu’s version of Caliban), and gorgeous cinematography of the island of Asinara. Winner of the Davide di Donatello for Best Adapted Screenplay. –
Franca Cavallaro
Philippa Kelly (PhD), Resident Dramaturg for the California Shakespeare Theater, Resident Dramaturg for Napa Shakes, and Production Dramaturg for many theaters including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, will join screenwriter Salvatore De Mola for the Q&A after the film.
Co-presented by
SFFILM and
California Shakespeare Theater
Join us after the film for our Opening Night Party!
8:30pm-11:00pm
Location: San Francisco Italian Athletic Club
1630 Stockton Street (between Union and Filbert)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Film & Party (or Party only): $25 general public; $20 for Italian Cultural Institute and San Francisco Italian Athletic Club members