Germany/Italy 2018 – 72′
The caustic, bohemian Daniele Kihlgren is the rebellious third child of a wealthy family of cement industry magnates.
In the late 90s, he rides his motorbike to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a medieval village perched on top of the rugged mountains of Abruzzi. It is love at first sight.
He realizes that in a place like that he can fulfil an old dream of his –- perfectly restoring a run-down medieval town, and turning it into a hotel. The bottom line is to make a profit from the conservation of the landscape rather than from its destruction, as is so often the case in Italy.
The idea is good and it works. Tourists start flocking to Santo Stefano. Emboldened by his success, Kihlgren buys houses in other old villages, and develops a similar plan for the Sassi of Matera.
However, he has more an artistic than an entrepreneurial temperament. A careless financial management, combined with an almost obsessive perfectionism, soon causes trouble.
In the unique, splendid scenery of Italy's hidden treasures this film tells the story of a man who, like his own country, has a big heart but perhaps cannot love himself.
A film by Alessandro Soetje.
Partner
- With the support of Region Abruzzo
- In association with Nantucket
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Festival and Awards
- Festival del Documentario – Premio Libero Bizzarri 2020 – Opening film
- Worldfest Houston 2020 – Bronze Remi Award
- ValdarnoCinema Film Festival 2019 – Award Diari di Cineclub
- Cervino Cinemountain 2019
- Ischia Film Festival 2019
- Trento Film Festival 2019
- Docudì – Concorso di cinema documentario 2019
- Sondrio Festival 2018
- International Filmfestival FrontDOC Aosta 2018
- Montreal World Film Festival 2018
