The Black Saint

Francis and Mirelle, two young Africans who escaped the persecution and injustices carried out by the dictatorship in Congo, crossed a water border of the Mediterranean Sea to reach the Sicilian coastal city of Agrigento, where they now live. During the days of festivities dedicated to Saint Calogero, something irrational happens in the small city. The locals, who are indifferent to the presence of the immigrants, venerate the saint from Carthage, a man who once boarded a boat as a stowaway, like the thousands of illegal immigrants that reach the Sicilian coasts. We follow the two protagonists through a dramatic and sensual story based on personal experience, which emphasizes the universal themes of integration and human rights. It all coalesces metaphorically in the pagan/religious catharsis that celebrates Saint Calogero, “the black saint”, who has been venerated for centuries by the people of Agrigento. The two protagonists, Mirelle and Francis, personify the parable of the Saint.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.
Script: Antonio Bellia, Davide Ficarra
Cinematography: Tarek Ben Abdallah
Editing: Giacobbe Gamberini
Sound: Mirko Cangiamila
Music: Lello Analfino, Tinturia
Production: Demetra Produzioni, Italy
Producers: Antonio Bellia, David Riondino
Format: DigiBeta Έγχρωμο
Production Country: Ιταλία
Production Year: 2012
Duration: 75
Contact: Demetra Produzioni, Italy T. +39 338 465 6776 F. +39 645 553 435 info@demetraproduzioni.com www.demetraproduzioni.com
International Premiere

Awards
Award Vittorio De Seta – MED Film Festival in Rome 2012, Italy

Antonio Bellia

Filmography

2000 Nel cuore delle alghe e dei coralli: storia di Peppino Impastato
2002 Ore d’aria. Storia di Silvia Baraldini
2006 ‘A Pirrera
2007 La favola perduta
2008 Terre in moto Belice ’68
2010 Uno di noi
2012 Il santo nero/The Black Saint