In 1920s Bagheria, Giuseppe 'Peppino' Torrenuova works as a shepherd to financially help his poor family. Over the next fifty years, Giuseppe's life, as well as the life of the village, is observed. Giuseppe grows up, joins the Communist Party, marries a local girl, has children, and forges a political career for himself.
Cinematography
Tornatore makes poverty look like a Renaissance painting.
Production
50 years of Sicilian history built from scratch.
Acting
Francesco Scianna ages decades without losing Peppino's fire.
Director
Giuseppe Tornatore
Francesco Scianna
Peppino
Margareth Madè
Mannina
Lina Sastri
Tana
Ángela Molina
Sarina adulta
Nicole Grimaudo
Sarina
Salvatore Ficarra
Nino Terranuova
Valentino Picone
Luigi Scalia
Gaetano Aronica
Ciccio Terranuova
Marco Iermanò
Pietro da Ragazzo
Lollo Franco
don Giacinto
Gisella Marengo
Matilde
Raoul Bova
giornalista romano
Aldo Baglio
affarista
Paolo Briguglia
maestro di catechismo
Fabrizio Romano
Onofrio Pace
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tornatore built an entire replica of 1920s Bagheria after the real town had modernized beyond recognition.
The title 'Baarìa' is Sicilian dialect for Bagheria, Tornatore's actual hometown — this is basically his love letter and therapy session combined.
IT
