Hawks and Sparrows (Uccellacci e uccellini) is a 1966 Italian film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. The film stars two of Pasolini's regular collaborators, Franco Citti and Ninetto Davoli, as a father and son who encounter a wandering talking crow named Non-Chan (voiced by the director himself).
The film is a mixture of comedy, social commentary, and surrealism, exploring themes of Marxist ideology, religion, and the nature of poverty. Non-Chan engages in philosophical discussions with the two main characters, challenging their perceptions and offering his own unique perspective on the world.
The father and son's journey takes them through rural Italy, where they encounter a variety of characters, including a group of friars who take them in for the night and hold a lively theological debate about God's existence. They also come across a group of carabinieri (police officers) who challenge their revolutionary beliefs.
Hawks and Sparrows incorporates elements of folklore and fantasy, such as a scene where Non-Chan narrates a fable about a hawk and a sparrow who try to build a road to reach God. The film is often interpreted as a satire on post-WWII Italian society, with Non-Chan serving as a voice of dissent and rebellion against the oppressive conditions faced by the working class.
The film's use of non-professional actors, a mix of dialects, and the director's poem-like narration all contribute to the film's unique style and experimental approach to storytelling. Hawks and Sparrows remains a fascinating and thought-provoking work in Pasolini's filmography.