09/07/2024 - The feature aims to rekindle interest in the figure of Joachim of Fiore, a Catholic theologian and abbot who founded the Florensian Order in the 12th century

Rome-based sales outfit TVCO has boarded the international rights to Jordan River’s Joachim and the Apocalypse (in Italian, Il monaco che vinse l’apocalisse). The picture, set to be included in the Italian firm’s dedicated “TVCO Faith” catalogue, promises to be “evocative and thought-provoking” and aims to rekindle interest in the figure of Joachim of Fiore, a Catholic theologian and abbot who lived in the 12th century. It also focuses on the thoughts of the monastic reformer and founder of the Florensian Order, rather than being a simple biopic.

The general public knows little about this figure, except for a mention of him in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Dante, the father of the Italian language and a pillar of world literature, canonised him centuries before the official Church, placing him in Paradise (Canto XII) and defining him as being “endowed with a prophetic spirit”. Many artists and thinkers, including Montaigne, Hegel, Joyce and Michelangelo, have been inspired by his thought.

“The film is the result of years of research involving numerous scholars and research centres, providing interesting material that will certainly prompt reflection on many themes, including those related to the Apocalypse of John, rarely addressed by the religious world. But it’s also a poetic and fantastical journey through the archetypes of existence, and the Dantean and otherworldly voyage that all, believers and atheists alike, must undertake,” states TVCO’s official press release.

The picture was penned by Michela Albanese, Andrea Tagliapietra and Valeria De Fraja with the director himself. Other key creatives include costume designer Daniele Gelsi, production designer Davide De Stefano and DoP Gianni Mammolotti. The main cast members include Bill Hutchens, Elisabetta Pellini, Yoon C Joyce, Nikolay Moss and Concetto Calafiore. Francesco Turbanti plays the title role.

Joachim and the Apocalypse is being produced by Italy’s Delta Star Pictures, with backing from the Latium region and the Fondazione Calabria Film Commission. Its release is slated for December 2024, coinciding with the start of the Holy Year.

“Numerous events are planned both in Italy and abroad, during which the public will be able to meet the cast and crew of the film, and discover curious facts about the production. By the end of the summer, the film will be available in English, followed by its French and Spanish versions, and next year, it will be released in all languages,” adds the TVCO team.