Francesco giullare di Dio

aka: Francis, God's Jester; The Flowers of St Francis
Italy 1950, 83 minutes
Dir. Roberto Rossellini
In Italian with English subtitles
Rating: [PG]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Drama, Classics

Topics: Religion, Neo-realism, Period - Middle Ages.

Feat. Aldo Fabrizi

Aroview: Following after dir. Rossellini's more obviously left-wing films (ROME OPEN CITY, PAISA), this unusual biopic would prove a transition work to more introspective concerns.

Constructed from episodes in the life of the 13th century saint, Francis of Assisi, and his followers, this is built with a similar sense of grace, improvisation and simplicity. Visually this remains humbly B&W, and if you can accept the occasional forced moment, it will prove a thought-provoking meditation on practical religion.