Italy, late 16th century. The Roman Catholic Church, feeling threatened in its hegemony by the Protestant reform movement, invokes the Inquisition to consolidate its total control. The new confessional, designed in these very years, is transformed from a space for the consolation of souls to a tribunal of thought. Eavesdropping, spying, and denunciation of neighbors are made mandatory, on the pain of excommunication, prison, or the pyre. Menocchio (Marcello Martini), an old, stubborn, self-educated miller from a small mountain village in Friuli decides to oppose the new order. Accused of heresy, he ignores the pleading of friends and family in order to stand trial for his belief that as a man, he is the equal of any bishop, the inquisitors, and even the Pope.

Based on true events, Alberto Fasulo's MENOCCHIO THE HERETIC had its world premiere at Locarno and won the Grand Prix at the Annecy Italian Cinema Festival.

“A satisfyingly gritty period piece, centered around an impressively understated central performance by first-time actor Marcello Martini.” –Slant

DIRECTED BY ALBERTO FASULO
ITALY | 2018 | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES