| Reż. Ermanno Olmi |
| Italy 1978 |
| Drama |
| 3 godz. 6 min. |
| Luigi Ornaghi (Batistì, ojciec Mineka), Francesca Moriggi (Batistina, żona Batistì), Omar Brignoli (Minek, syn Batistì), Antonio Ferrari (młynarz), Teresa Brescianini (wdowa Runk), Giuseppe Brignoli (Anselmo), Carlo Rota (Stefano, młody mężczyzna), Pasqualina Brolis (Maddalena, narzeczona Stefano) |
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DESCRIPTION:
A masterpiece of Italian cinema directed by Ermanno Olmi, which tells the story of the daily life of a peasant community in Lombardy at the end of the 19th century. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1978 and remains one of the most important works of realist cinema to this day.
The film follows the fates of several families living on a farmstead belonging to a landlord. The lives of the characters are shown in the slow rhythm of daily farm work, struggling with poverty and life’s hardships, but also moments of joy and solidarity.
Ermanno Olmi captures the realities of peasant life with exceptional precision and empathy, based on his father’s memories and stories from his home region. The film features non-professional actors – authentic residents of the region, giving the work a documentary character. Dialogues are conducted in the Lombard dialect, and every detail, from clothing to behavior, has been meticulously recreated.
The pace of the film is slow, reminiscent of the natural rhythm of rural life. The camera focuses on simple activities – plowing a field, feeding animals, preparing meals – showing the beauty and struggle of everyday life. The music is minimalist, while silence and the sounds of nature play a key role in building the atmosphere.
GALLERY:
LET’S TALK ABOUT:
Jan Olszewski, in his review of “The Tree of Wooden Clogs” published in the weekly magazine FILM (1981, No. 43), wrote that the director describes “a self-sufficient world in the sense that it is isolated from its surroundings” – what else can we say about this world – what are its characteristics?
What determines its rhythm?
Which behaviors are most frequently repeated by the characters? And what is their significance?
How does the world presented in the film correspond with your life?
In the same review, Jan Olszewski cites the words of Edward Sapir, a cultural researcher who used the concept of “authentic culture,” characterized by harmony, balance, and self-satisfaction. Let’s consider where the harmony and balance in the life of the manor servants’ quarters community stem from.
Community
The farmstead residents perform many activities together – work, prayer, free time, singing – do you feel a need for community? Tell us about your experience being part of a community.
Joint actions, ventures, and challenges build relationships with other people – tell us about one such experience.
What is your way of building friendly relationships?
Tell us about one of your friends – what made you become friends.
In what way do you most like to spend your free time?
One might get the impression that every resident of the farm knows their place and their role – how do you see your place and role in the world?
What challenges are you facing now?
At one point, Widow Runk faces a dramatic decision about whether to give some of her children to an orphanage – do you remember the eldest son’s answer?
How would you behave in her situation?
Acceptance of Reality
From our perspective, the world of the film’s characters is unfair – the hard-working farmers are entirely dependent on the landowner. However, they accept this state of affairs with humility. Do you find it easy to come to terms with things you cannot influence?
The father who cut down a tree to make shoes for his son receives a punishment and accepts it with humility – can you admit to your mistakes?
To what or whom are you humble?
During the fair in the nearby town and during the newlyweds’ journey to Milan, we learn about revolutionary movements starting to reach these parts – how do you perceive them – do they represent a threat or an opportunity for the farm residents?
Tell us about a personal revolution you have experienced.
The tense atmosphere on the streets of Milan contrasts with the idyllic life at the farmstead – the director seems to be saying that although the farmers’ lives are very modest, they are happy – what brings you happiness?
Faith
Something that very closely unites the characters of the film is the faith they profess – how does it manifest itself?
It is said that everyone believes in something. What do you believe in?
What role does faith play in your life?
In one of the more important episodes, a miracle occurs – a cow, the breadwinner for the entire family, is healed thanks to the fervent prayer of a widow with four children and a dependent father – have you ever experienced a small or large miracle / a seemingly impossible event?
Olmi’s film does not have a clearly outlined plot – it consists of episodes. Only a few of them form a longer story. Which ones did you particularly remember?
Why do you think you paid attention to those specific threads?
Important figures in the world of the farmstead residents are the parish priest, the wanderer Gioppo, and the landlord – the owner of the land – What role does each of them play?
Who is an authority for me – whose opinion do I count on?
Tell us about a conversation that changed your life in some way.
Can you share what you have with others?
Have you ever experienced true lack/scarcity?
How do you react to injustice toward yourself and others?
The characters in the film work constantly – in the field and around the house, there is always something to do – do you like to work?
Residents spend their free time, for example, listening to Batistì’s stories – do you remember a story your grandparents told you?
What do you particularly value in your grandparents?
During one of these meetings, suitors appear. They stand against the wall, listen, and do not speak – this is part of etiquette and tradition – what traditions are/were cultivated in your family home?
What traditions do you cultivate?
Do you think any abandoned social conventions from the past could be useful in today’s times?
A tradition for Anselmo (the grandfather) is planting tomatoes in a way that grows them much faster than others – do you also have your secret recipes or methods?
What are you good at?
Which values from the list below can you find in the film?
Which are particularly important to you?
List of values: Altruism, Assertiveness, Selflessness, Security, Closeness, Heroism, Patience, Goodness, Spirit, Empathy, Hospitality, Politeness, Generosity, Honor, Humor, Creativity, Loyalty, Wisdom, Fortitude, Love, Motivation, Hope, Reliability, Non-conformism, Responsibility, Courage, Composure, Optimism, Openness, Passion, Beauty, Humility, Peace, Resourcefulness, Sacrifice, Beauty, Truth, Friendship, Punctuality, Joy, Reason, Diligence, Heart, Strength, Consistency, Respect, Sincerity, Happiness, Transcendence, Care, Honesty, Moderation, Orderliness, Mindfulness, Gratitude, Faith, Credibility, Knowledge, Fidelity, Freedom, Sensitivity, Support, Compassion, Imagination, Perseverance, Commitment, Life
