The Benedetti family's wealth comes from gold stolen from the French army during the 18th century. When Jean (Michael Vartan), the lieutenant guarding the coins -- and lover of Elisabette Benedetti (Galatea Ranzi) -- is executed for a crime he did not commit, Elisabette curses the family. Bad luck travels from generation to generation. As the latest Benedettis tell their children about their eccentric grandfather, the children worry that the family curse will be passed on.
Direction
Tavianis weave three timelines with dreamlike fluidity.
Cinematography
Golden hour Tuscan landscapes that ache with beauty.
Acting
Ranzi's dual role as doomed Elisabette and modern Elisa.
Director
Paolo Taviani
Claudio Bigagli
Corrado / Alessandro
Galatea Ranzi
Elisabette / Elisa
Michael Vartan
Jean / Massimo
Lino Capolicchio
Luigi
Constanze Engelbrecht
Juliette
Athina Cenci
Gina
Giovanni Guidelli
Elio
Pier Paolo Capponi
Duilio
Carlo Luca De Ruggieri
Renzo
Fritz Müller-Scherz
University Professor
Chiara Caselli
Chiara
Renato Carpentieri
Massimo as an old Man
Consuelo Ciatti
Farmer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Michael Vartan learned Italian phonetically for the role; his voice was dubbed by a native speaker in the final cut.
The film premiered at Cannes '93, where the Tavianis were coming off their international breakthrough 'The Night of the Shooting Stars.'
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