Prepare to be captivated by the true story of 6-year-old Edgardo Mortara, who was snatched from his Jewish family in 1857 and raised in a Catholic seminary. Director Marco Bellocchio brings this tale to life in his latest masterpiece, Kidnapped (Rapito), with such theatrical flair that you’ll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Bellocchio’s attention to detail is impeccable, with every twist and turn meticulously referenced with times, dates, and locations. The Mortara family’s heart-wrenching story is woven into the larger narrative of Italy’s unification as a secular state, making for a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
The Mortaras are a loving Jewish family living in Bologna, but their world is turned upside down when their son is taken from them. The church hierarchy is portrayed as villainous, with Pope Pius IX taking a particularly sinister role. Bellocchio’s anti-clericalism is palpable, but he also conveys the seductive power of the church’s rituals and music. The young Edgardo is torn between his longing for his mother and his desire to please the church, ultimately becoming a papal favorite.
The film’s visuals are stunning, with even the Mortaras’ apartment given the dramatic angles and lighting of Baroque painting. The orchestral score is equally impressive, at times overwhelming in its power. Politics seethes behind Edgardo’s story, with the toadying of Jewish representatives to the Church authorities making the flesh crawl. However, the story loses some of its urgency when it spreads to cover troop movements and administrative change.
As the film progresses, we see Edgardo as an adult, now a priest. The momentum of the kidnapping and its aftermath fades away, overtaken by events. This is the difficulty of real lives and true stories, but it doesn’t detract from the power of Bellocchio’s film. Prepare to be moved by this unforgettable tale of love, loss, and the struggle for identity. Kidnapped is a must-see at Cannes (Competition), with a stellar cast including Leonardo Maltese, Fausto Russo Alesi, and Barbara Ronchi. Don’t miss it!
