Watch Spettacolo

Spettacolo, released in 2017, is a fascinating documentary that explores the lives of a group of Italian town folks who have come together for decades to create a play every summer featuring their own stories and experiences. Located in Tuscany, the town of Monticchiello, with its beautifully-stacked homes, winding roads and breathtaking landscape, serves as the backdrop for the film, adding to its rustic yet intimate feel.

Directed by Jeff Malmberg and Chris Shellen, the movie highlights the lives of the town sailors, farmers, and shopkeepers, who use the stage as a means of expression, recounting their joys and struggles with wit and humor, and presenting their views of the world through art. The documentary, shot over the course of a year, presents to us both the social and theatrical aspects of Monticchiello's annual tradition.

The lead actor Andrea Cresti, who plays the hero in the towns’ plays since he was 20, is a focused and charismatic individual who expresses the emotional intensity of each character's story with poignancy. He carries the weight of the show on his shoulders, and as such, the townspeople's dedication and passion for their production becomes even more palpable, making for a captivating view.

Meanwhile, Chiara Del Ciondolo, the co-director of the play, is determined to ensure that the cast and crew remain committed to their production every year. Initially fearing that the play might lose its meaning with the changes in society and how the younger, technology-driven generation might adapt to such performances or even, whether the town will survive with the changes, she is determined to instill hope and preserve the culture of the town in the annual acting dance of life.

The movie introduces us to the town's elders, who reminisce about the past and how much the play has meant to them through the years. They recount major events, including the world war and the rise of fascism, which they have closely followed and how the play continued to be their sole escape from the atrocities of society. Watching them pass on their legacy to the younger generation is truly heartwarming.

Throughout the documentary, even as we witness the planning, production, and performance of the yearly play, we also see that this small-town community is grappling with harsh societal changes, such as the declining population, increase in individualism, the rise of technology and the urban lifestyle, and the struggle to retain traditions amidst modernity. But the play remains the one thing that offers a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty.

The filmmakers use clever cinematic techniques to capture the close-knit bond between the townspeople. There are moments in the film where the fourth wall is broken, with the actors speaking directly to the camera, leaning down to take us backstage into a world of camaraderie and brotherhood. We're shown the process of conducting rehearsals, the wardrobe selection, and the building and decorating of the stage. The audience is given glimpses into the various facets of the town, which gives them a better understanding of the town’s traditions and its importance in the town’s preservation of its identity.

Finally, the performance is put on for the audience, and we see the people of the town come together in one glorious moment of synergy, as the play takes us into the lives of these ordinary people who have come together to make extraordinary art. It's impossible not to be moved by the sheer power of the stories, and as the play comes to a close and the townspeople receive a standing ovation, we're reminded of how important it is to hold onto our humanity in the face of modernity.

Overall, Spettacolo is a powerful film that illustrates the power of community in the preservation of tradition and culture. Viewers are provided with insight into the close-knit community and the crucial role the play has in maintaining their mental and cultural well-being. With stirring performances by the actors, this documentary provides a heartfelt look into the lives of these ordinary people and their extraordinary ability to make art from their lives in front of our eyes.

Spettacolo is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 76.