A Summer in Sant'Arcangelo

"Un'Estate a Sant'Arcangelo" is a project born from the profound desire to tell a story of integration, friendship, and community in a small village in Southern Italy, specifically Sant'Arcangelo in Basilicata. In a world increasingly fragmented by conflicts and divisions, I felt the urgency to create something that proposed an alternative path, the only necessary one for human coexistence: that of peace, solidarity, and integration. This short film is a tribute to the South, to my homeland, Basilicata, and to the beauty of its traditions, but also an invitation to look beyond the cultural and generational boundaries that often separate us.

The short film tells the story of Maria, a teenager returning from the Camino de Santiago, who stops in Sant'Arcangelo to spend the summer with her widowed grandfather, Pasquale. Here, Maria becomes friend with Latif, a young African migrant. Together, they help Pasquale restore the old community bakery that was once managed by Maria's grandmother, making bread for the now multi-ethnic community.

To bring authenticity and truth to the narrative, I decided to work with non-professional actors, chosen through a special casting held at the ARCI headquarters in Sant'Arcangelo. This approach allowed for the direct involvement of the entire local community, bringing real faces and stories to the screen. The casting was a moment of great discovery: we met extraordinary people, each with their own experiences and emotions, who contributed to bringing the film's characters to life. Every day on set was a growing and enriching experience, both for me and for the actors.

Choosing Sant'Arcangelo as the location was no accident. I wanted to explore a place still unknown from a cinematic perspective, a village facing depopulation that reflected the challenges and opportunities of contemporary rural Italy. Sant'Arcangelo, with its austere beauty and deep-rooted traditions, seemed to me the ideal place to tell this story of rebirth and hope. Working in the field in Sant'Arcangelo meant immersing ourselves in the village's daily life, understanding the community dynamics, and building relationships of trust and collaboration with the residents.

The production of the short film was an extraordinary collaborative experience. We worked hard to restore the old community bakery, a symbol of community and sharing, and to carry out the shooting in an authentic and engaging context. Every detail was cared for with love and dedication, from the choice of locations to the preparation of the actors, from the technical work to post-production.

"Un'Estate a Sant'Arcangelo" is a film that celebrates the beauty of integration and friendship, showing that a better future is possible if we are willing to work together and overcome our differences. I hope this short film can touch the hearts of the audience and inspire an open and constructive dialogue on what it truly means to be a community. I especially hope it can raise awareness among the younger generations towards the goals of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this project, especially the residents of Sant'Arcangelo, for their generosity and spirit of hospitality. I invite the audience to join us on this cinematic journey full of emotions, encounters, and discoveries.

Antonello Faretta