Cannes: Roberto Minervini transitions to fiction

by Elisa Giudici

THE DAMNED © Okta Film Pulpa Film

In 2018, Italian documentarian Roberto Minervini adeptly captured the underlying tensions of American society amidst the backdrop of Trumpism and racism in What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?, which premiered at Venice. Having called the United States home since 2000, Minervini demonstrates a keen understanding of the nation's profound anxieties, skillfully depicting them in his documentaries, often anticipating topics later dissected by journalists and political commentators.

THE DAMNED by Roberto Minervini
It comes as no surprise then that Minervini, in transitioning to fiction with a historical film, chose to confront the Civil War, a pivotal moment in American identity formation...

 The Damned follows a group of northerners venturing into the wild, untamed western frontier in 1842. From youths to seasoned adults, armed with horses, new weaponry, and an unspecified mission, their journey evolves from lighthearted diversions like poker and baseball to grappling with existential themes, ultimately probing the essence of war, life, and faith.

The Damned evokes shades of Emanuele Crialese's early cinema merged with the suspenseful anticipation found in films like The Desert of the Tartars, where the enemy, if it materializes at all, appears as a distant gunshot or the shadowy silhouette of approaching horses. It's a cinema of unfamiliar faces, calloused hands, and indifferent nature.

THE DAMNED © Okta Film Pulpa Film

Filmed across the sweeping landscapes of Montana and Piemonte, The Damned   proves to be a meticulously crafted historical tableau. Minervini's camera places viewers on the soldiers' shoulders and the horses' saddles, seamlessly weaving between documentary realism and moments of lyrical reflection as nature exerts its influence over humanity. The narrative occasionally delves into profound depths, exploring themes of forgiveness and identity with poignant eloquence. Despite the film's arresting imagery and profound insights, there's a lingering sense of disjointedness—a void that prevents the narrative from fully coalescing into a cohesive whole.

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