Below the Clouds

Beneath the surface of Naples

Documentary filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi ( Sacro GRA , Fuocoammare ) delves into the underground of Naples and the surrounding area in Below the Clouds . For three years, he followed archaeologists uncovering a Roman villa, firefighters investigating clandestine tunnels, and museum curators managing a basement full of art treasures. Shot in stylish black and white, the film won the Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.

Living under the threat of Vesuvius

The Gulf of Naples carries a heavy past. Beneath the ground lie layers of history, ash, and ruins. Grave robbers, the so-called tombaroli , dig illegal tunnels in search of ancient artifacts. Rosi captures the daily reality of people living and working on the flanks of a dormant volcano. His camera shows how the past and the present constantly slide into one another.

A poetic portrait of a city

Rosi does not create a reportage, but a melancholic portrait. He observes patiently and lets the images speak for themselves. Below the Clouds aligns with his earlier work, in which he follows people living on the border of two worlds. The film is screening at De Balie in Amsterdam. Are you interested? You can find more information and reserve tickets via the link on this page.