Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)

In the oppressive grip of 1935 Fascist Italy, Carlo Levi, a multifaceted man of intellect and a painter with a medical background, finds himself thrust into an involuntary exile. His destination is a remote, isolated village on the fringes of Southern Italy, a place where time seems to have stood still since the Middle Ages. This is a world beyond Eboli - the closest train station, and the last citadel of what passes for civilization in this desolate setting. The village teems with inhabitants eking out a bare existence from the harsh, unforgiving land. Their lives are a testament to resilience in the face of abandon, neglect, and desolation. The title, borrowed from Carlo Levi's book, encapsulates a profound sense of despair deeply ingrained in local lore - the belief that even Christ halted his journey southward at Eboli, implying that beyond this point, no divine entity dared, or perhaps chose, to venture. As Levi's exile unfolds, he is initially overwhelmed by his isolation. But with time, he begins to perceive the raw beauty of the landscape and the ageless wisdom of the peasants. He learns to see beyond the desolation, discovering in the process a poignant testament to human endurance, resilience, and the power of the spirit. This transformative journey redefines his understanding of life and society, making "Christ Stopped at Eboli" an introspective exploration of the human condition against the backdrop of a forgotten corner of the world.

Christ Stopped at Eboli is a drama movie featuring Gian Maria Volonté.

Christ Stopped at Eboli is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.