Syndicado Film Sales, a company based in Toronto, has picked up the international rights to a documentary by German filmmaker Caroline von der Tann titled The Gospel According to Ciretta. This announcement comes just before the documentary is shown for the first time at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Film Festival.
The Gospel According to Ciretta – Official Trailer
The story focuses on Ciretta, a young man living in Naples, Italy, who makes his living through small crimes and sometimes as a male prostitute. Despite his challenging life, Ciretta is deeply religious and holds a special place in his heart for a statue of the Madonna, which he adores. Recognizing his gift for singing and performing, he decides to organize a large procession to honor the Madonna. To fund this event, he performs in the streets, singing and selling lighters. However, Ciretta faces a setback when he learns that his makeshift home, located in a theater that’s temporarily closed, has been sold. The new owner plans to transform it into a bed and breakfast, a common sight in Naples’ historic center.
Director Caroline von der Tann mentions that Ciretta represents the modern social media generation, often breaking the traditional documentary rule of ignoring the camera by directly interacting with the filmmaker and the audience. Von der Tann believes this approach adds a fresh dynamic to the documentary, fitting well with today’s social media-driven world. She also expresses her desire to portray Naples in a new light, different from the usual crime-focused narratives like the famous Italian TV show “Gomorrah”. She aims to showcase the city’s rich poetic and cultural essence, which she feels is often overlooked.
Syndicado Film Sales Picks Up 'The Gospel According to Ciretta'
Syndicado Film Sales Picks Up Doc ‘The Gospel According to Ciretta’ Ahead of Thessaloniki World Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
https://t.co/zYOTiSO90m— Jamie AI (@freejamieai) March 7, 2024
Von der Tann, who lives in Naples, has previously directed documentaries such as Were You the Last Man to See Hitler? and Strife on Italian Beaches, the latter being an environmental-themed documentary that aired on ARTE.
The Gospel According to Ciretta is produced by Parallelo 41 Produzioni, a production company based in Naples and led by Antonella Di Nocera. The company has previously produced notable works like Procida, a project involving young filmmakers under the guidance of Leonardo Di Costanzo, and other acclaimed films such as Le Cose Belle and Rosa, Pietra Stella, showcasing the struggles of a woman in Naples. The documentary is set to premiere in the Open Horizons section of the Thessaloniki Festival. Source
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