Drama,War,History
Italy,France
Christ Stopped at Eboli is a 1979 Italian film directed by Francesco Rosi and based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Carlo Levi. The film is set in the year 1935 and follows the story of Carlo Levi, a painter and doctor from Turin, who is exiled to the remote and impoverished region of Lucania (now Basilicata) in southern Italy, near the village of Gagliano.
Levi is sent to Lucania by the fascist regime, which sees him as a political dissident and as someone who has been sympathetic to anti-fascist causes. Levi initially finds it difficult to adjust to his new life in the barren and desolate landscape, surrounded by people who speak a dialect he does not understand and who generally lead a life of poverty and hardship.
Over time, however, Levi begins to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of the peasants he meets in Lucania. He learns about their traditions, their folklore, and their struggles, and he finds himself becoming more and more sympathetic to their plight. He becomes friends with the local doctor, who introduces him to the peasants and helps him understand their culture and way of life.
Throughout his stay, Levi observes the injustices and difficulties faced by the people of Lucania, many of whom are unable to read or write and are at the mercy of corrupt local officials and landlords. He sees the way their lives are shaped by their environment, their history, and their relationship to the land.
As Levi gets closer to the people of Lucania, he also starts to overcome his isolation and becomes more involved in their daily lives. He helps the local doctor treat the sick, participates in traditional festivals and ceremonies, and even falls in love with a local woman.
Christ Stopped at Eboli is a powerful and moving film that portrays a region and a people who have been neglected and forgotten by the rest of Italy. The film is a testament to the resilience and dignity of the peasants of Lucania and to the transformative power of human connection and understanding.
