The Night of the Shooting Stars

La notte di San Lorenzo

Arguably the Tavianis’ greatest film, this is a heartbreaking saga set at the height of the Second World War.

  • Director

    Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani

  • With

    Omero Antonutti, Margarita Lozano, Claudio Bigagli

  • Italy 1982. 107min

  • Digital (restoration)

  • Certificate

    12A

  • English subtitles

A small-town community in Tuscany attempts to flee Nazi soldiers during the Second World War, with shocking, heroic and sometimes surprising results. Based on real events, including aspects of of the filmmakers’ own lives, The Night of the Shooting Stars features dark humour and fantastical scenes that leaven the seriousness of its subject matter. The result is a breathtaking, heartbreaking and life-affirming masterpiece.

Restored by Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – Cineteca Nazionale and by Cinecittà S.p.A. at the laboratory at Cinecittà S.p.A.

See The Night of the Shooting Stars with extended intro by season curator Adrian Wootton on Tuesday 12 March.