Selinunte, i templi addormentati

About This Movie

So, 'Selinunte, i templi addormentati' is this early work from Birri that gives you a real taste of his nascent style. It’s a fascinating piece, especially considering it was made while he was still a student. The film has this almost dreamlike quality, tapping into themes of history and memory in a way that feels haunting. The pacing is deliberately slow, inviting you to linger on the ruins and the atmosphere. There's a certain rawness to the practical effects and the performances that are really interesting; they don’t try too hard to impress, but rather transport you to another time. It's a distinctive entry in early Italian cinema, a bit of a gem if you ask me.

This film is quite rare in collector circles, often overshadowed by Birri's later works. Its scarcity makes it a special find, especially for those interested in the evolution of Italian cinema. Original prints are hard to come by, and the film has been preserved in a few collections, which adds to its allure. If you're digging into the roots of Italian filmmaking, this one definitely fits in there.