Between the autumn of 1897 and the summer of 1898, four families live on a farm in the Bergamo plain. The members of this community are bound by a deep spiritual and cultural connection that leads them to share both happy moments and tragic events, ordinary occurrences and extraordinary experiences. When it comes time to hand over two-thirds of their produce to the stern Mesagiù, the owner of the farm, they all try to cheat in order to keep a few extra kilos of flour. When the beautiful Maddalena marries Stefano, everyone gathers around the newlyweds for their early-morning wedding and welcomes them back from Milan with the little boy they have adopted. Together, they slaughter the pig, settle disputes, listen to the stories of the elders, welcome the parish priest, Don Carlo, and take part in religious services and village festivals. Everyone rejoices at the miraculous “recovery” of the poor widow Runk’s cow. Menek is the six-year-old boy who, as the only child on the farm, attends school. One day, he comes home with a broken wooden clog. His father, Batistì, secretly works through the night to carve him a new one. But he has used wood from a tree that was illegally cut down. The owner then evicts him from the farm. All his friends watch, devastated and powerless, as he leaves with his family, setting off toward an unknown future and poverty.
”The Tree of Wooden Clogs” by Ermanno Olmi – Italy | 1978 | 186 min | Italian with French subtitles
Thursday, October 29th, 6pm – TICKETS
Cinéma du Musée (1379-A Rue Sherbrooke W., Montréal)
The film will be introduced by Francesca Calamaro, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Montreal
Featuring five Palme d’Or-winning films, this series reminds us that historical cinema is more than just a genre, it is also a living record of the history of the seventh art. A true symbol of cinematic excellence, the Palme d’Or honors works that have left a lasting mark on film history through their artistic, cultural, or political significance. Hailing from five different countries, these films showcase the richness of national cinemas while offering a journey through world cinema. Spanning the years 1953 to 1993, the series covers four decades of profound change, from the postwar era to the rise of cultural globalization. It offers an opportunity to trace the evolution of cinematic forms while celebrating the Palme d’Or’s unique place in film history.
For the full program, please visit the website : Ciné-histoire : Palmes d’Or