Matera
From Italy's disgrace to cultural capital
A film by Christian Walther
Documentary film, 52 min, SRF, Sternstunde Kunst
Written and direxcted:: Christian Walther
camera: Daniel Leippert
2nd Unit: Olivier JeanRichard
Sound: Rolf Büttikofer
Music: Ben Jeger
Edit, Grading: Fränze Aerni
soundedit: himex:sounddesign
Production: Insertfilm AG / CoProd. SRF Sternstunde Kunst
The cave town of Matera is one of the oldest continually inhabited spots in Europe.
The small town in the Basilicata was designated as Italy’s shame in the 1950s on the basis of the novel «Christ Stopped At Eboli» by Carlo Levi. For a few years everything has changed: Matera becomes 2019 European Capital of Culture. And since this decision has been made, buildings are being renovated, school classes from all over Italy are being dragged through the narrow streets, and dedicated volunteers are working on all kinds of cultural and other projects, so that Matera will remain an attractive place to live and work.
A film about exceptional people in an extraordinary city.
SRF1 – Sternstunde Kunst, 11. März 2018, 11:55, und 23:20 Uhr
SRF1 – Sternstunde Kunst, 6. Januar 2019, 11:55 h
- Content: The 52-minute film covers the history of Matera from extreme poverty and its classification as a ‘national disgrace’ after the Second World War to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Capital of Culture 2019 (source).
- Historical context: One focus is on the debate surrounding Carlo Levi’s book ‘Christ Stopped at Eboli’, which denounced the conditions in the region and led to the resettlement of its inhabitants.
- Produktion: Der Film wurde von Insertfilm Ag für Christian Walther realisiert, ein Schweizer Dokumentarfilm-Regisseur.
- Reception: The film highlights the contrast between the area’s former reputation as a slum and the modern tourism boom.
