Ingrid Bergman experiences the land of God in Roberto Rossellini’s 1950 film Stromboli. A young woman, Karin, and her new husband move to his homeland of Stromboli, where she struggles to adapt to life in a small town on a volcanic island. This deeply layered work explores isolation and the relationship between man and nature; and even the volcano itself plays a variety of roles: as a mother and provider; a geological manifestation of hell, as the landscape of Karin’s own Divine Comedy; and an encounter with God, full of terror and wonder.

Plus: the David di Donatello awards, the new film Mondocane, tidbits from my trip to Sicily, and more.

Links:

• Criterion Collection: Stromboli
• Cinema Italiano Podcast: The Hand of God (2021) | Stromboli (1950) review from 2014
• Kino Lorber: Mondocane
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

This episode features music excerpts from the film’s soundtrack.