SebastianO

Fabrizio Ferraro’s homage to Saint Sebastian, subject of three paintings by the Italian early Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna, starts in the present day with colorful images of tourists in the ancient ruins of the Palatino and the Foro Romano in Rome. Suddenly we are transported to another dimension, now in black and white, the same place but another time, suggesting the film’s inherent circularity.
From this moment on, we follow the stations of the martyr through the natural landscape, accompanied by two soldiers of the Diocletian’s imperial guard. As is usual in the Italian filmmaker’s work, these staged scenes are long and allow the viewer to reflect upon and become one with the film. It is possible to walk and to rest with the characters during their journey. Finally, Sebastiano is tied to a tree and shot to death with arrows.
The legend tells that he was rescued and healed by Saint Irene of Rome and walked all the way back once he recovered, before being executed again. Time seems to stand still and the space around him begins to whirl. In the sudden glow of the light, Sebastiano’s body gets up once more and walks free. (Gustavo Beck)

In the presence of Fabrizio Ferraro, Fabio Parente (producer) and Luis Miñarro.