Watch I Am Not Giordano Bruno

I Am Not Giordano Bruno is a historical drama set in the 16th century about a man named Tommaso Campanella who was accused of heresy and imprisoned by the Catholic Church for 27 years. The movie follows the story of Campanella, a philosopher and theologian, who lived during a time when the Church had immense power and anything that went against their teachings was considered a threat.

The movie starts with Campanella, played by Massimo Ranieri, being brought into a dungeon in Naples where he is to be interrogated by two priests. It is 1599, and Campanella's ideas of a more equal society, free from the Church's imposed hierarchy, have caused him to be labeled a heretic. He refuses to renounce his beliefs and spends the next 27 years in prison, with brief intervals of freedom and even a time when he is promised clemency if he takes back his ideas, only to be betrayed by the Church.

The movie stays true to the historical events and tries to transport the viewer to the time period where Campanella lived. The sets and costumes are detailed and immersive, and the actors deliver strong performances, especially Ranieri, who shines as the tormented Campanella. The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, with the use of dim lighting and close-ups to create a sense of claustrophobia and desperation.

As the story unfolds, we see how Campanella's ideas threaten the Church's power and how they will stop at nothing to silence him. The priests who oversee his case are portrayed as ruthless and cunning, willing to resort to violence and psychological torture to extract a confession from him. They go as far as using other prisoners to break his spirits, but Campanella's resilience and determination inspire them instead.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks to Campanella's life before he was imprisoned, where he debates with his fellow philosophers about his ideas of a utopian society. His ideas for a society based on mutual respect and equality between all classes and sexes have made him a target for the Church, who see him as a threat to their power. Campanella is not intimidated and continues to defend his beliefs, even in the face of death.

The movie also touches on the theme of faith and religion. Campanella, although labeled a heretic, is a deeply religious man who sees faith as a personal experience rather than something imposed by an organization. His beliefs are based on love, which he sees as the fundamental core of all religions. His debates with the priests show how religion can be manipulated to suit the interests of the powerful, and how it can be used to justify injustice and oppression.

Overall, I Am Not Giordano Bruno is a well-crafted historical drama that doesn't shy away from the unpleasant realities of the time period it depicts. With strong performances and detailed production design, the movie succeeds in transporting the viewer to a different era and showing the struggle of a man who stood up against an oppressive system. It is a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the dangers of blind faith, and a tribute to those who stood up for their beliefs, even in the face of persecution.

I Am Not Giordano Bruno is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 54 minutes.