email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

MONTREAL 2016

On the Trail of My Father: A father faces the “devil”

by 

- This coming-of-age story by Marco Segato portrays a father trying to prove his worth to his son, his community and, ultimately, himself

On the Trail of My Father: A father faces the “devil”
Marco Paolini and Leonardo Mason in On the Trail of My Father

Competing at the Montreal World Film Festival, On the Trail of My Father [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
is Marco Segato’s debut fiction feature, following his feature documentary L’uomo che amava il cinema [+see also:
trailer
interview: Marco Segato
film profile
]
, which was selected at the 2012 edition of the Venice Days, in the special presentations. The film is a further example of the quality productions coming from small production company Jolefilm – already known for Andrea Segre’s Shun Li and the Poet [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrea Segre
interview: Andrea Segre
film profile
]
and First Snowfall [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, among many other festival hits.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

It is the 1950s. Pietro (Marco Paolini) is a surly man in his fifties, working on a quarry in the Italian Dolomites. His abuse of wine and his coy nature have quickly made him into the butt of the town’s jokes. He is strict with his son Domenico (Leonardo Mason), and ever since the death of his mother, their relationship has become increasingly tougher. One night, as he’s sitting in his usual bar swigging his wine, Pietro overhears his ruthless and haughty boss Crepaz (Paolo Pierobon) talking about the “devil”, a bear that has for some time been threatening the village and preying on livestock, generating fear and apprehension among the population. Tired of being vilified by his peers, Pietro makes a proposition to Crepaz: he will kill the bear in exchange for 600,000 lira, but if he fails, he will have to work without pay for a whole year. At dawn, against all odds, Pietro sets out towards the forest, determined to prove his worth and regain his pride in a final, heroic act. After learning about his father’s decision, Domenico decides to run after Pietro to help him kill the bear and retrieve his skin. On his journey, he will meet an old friend of his mother’s (Lucia Mascino), and most importantly, he will speak to his father like never before.

Segato debuts with a formulaic coming-of-age story that tackles the delicate father-son relationship between a patsy of a man and his fragile son, something of a wallflower, who knows next to nothing about his late mother. From the get-go, the director creates archaic, rural surroundings and, assisted by DoP Daria D'Antonio (who has worked with Massimo Coppola, Valeria Golino and Pietro Marcello in the past), immerses the viewer in a past when a man’s virility and reputation in the community were all he had. The script may be bare bones, but this does not mean that the film itself is poor – the psychology of the characters and the thorny relationship challenges between Pietro and Domenico are in constant development throughout the whole film.

Marco Paolini, also the scriptwriter of the film together with Enzo Monteleone and Marco Segato, is widely known in Italy for his narrative theatre, which takes its lead from Dario Fo’s work. The frequent use of the Venetian language along with the irony and satire he’s famous for are the traits that make his deft performance really stand out in the film. The theatre is his home turf, but when he steps into the realm of cinema, his acting naturally adapts to the new environment, leaving an afterglow of smiles in the audience after the bittersweet ending. Domenico may be callow, but the young Leonardo Mason is far from gullible. His performance is impeccable, and this is without doubt a prelude to a long and fruitful career.

Produced by Francesco Bonsembiante for Jolefilm, On the Trail of My Father has yet to land a distribution deal, but it will surely secure more autumn festival slots, especially at children’s and youth film festivals.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy