by Marco Bellocchio
Bologna, 1858: In the middle of the night, soldiers storm the house of the Jewish Mortara family. By order of the Pope, they forcibly and ruthlessly snatch seven-year-old Edgardo from his parents. As an infant, he was secretly baptised by a wet nurse and now the Holy See has decided: Edgardo must receive a Catholic education. The indignant family vehemently resists. Supported by the international Jewish community, they present the case to the public and thus spark a heated political debate. Based on true events, Italian director Marco Bellocchio presents a gripping and moving historical drama about religious freedom and the coexistence of religions.