Join Us for a Conversation with Gianfranco Rosi, Director of ‘Pompei: Below The Clouds,’ About His New Documentary on Terra Infirma
The southern Italian city of Naples, steeped in history, sits atop ancient Roman ruins. While this rich historical tapestry lends the city a sense of stability, it is juxtaposed with the ever-present threat of seismic activity from the nearby Mount Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei supervolcano, marking Napoli as an earthquake zone.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi delves into the complexities of this vibrant city in his latest film, Pompei: Below the Clouds. The film, which highlights Naples’ rich past alongside its current challenges, is currently showing in New York and will debut in Los Angeles this weekend. It is set to premiere on March 27 on the Mubi streaming service.
“Naples is a city forever marked by the looming presence of Mount Vesuvius,” the film’s synopsis states. “Beneath the quiet threat of eruption, people go about their days: Archaeologists unearth the past, children learn as the earth hums, firefighters wait for the next call.”
In an insightful discussion, Rosi drew parallels between his filmmaking and the story of the sculptor Giacometti. He shared amusing anecdotes from his experiences filming in an emergency call center in Naples, where locals contact first responders for both serious emergencies and lighthearted inquiries. One caller frequently seeks the current time, while another woman, concerned about the ground shaking during an earthquake, humorously recounted that she was “cooking a nice ragù.”
John Ridley, co-host of Doc Talk, praised the documentary as one of the most astonishing films he has ever encountered.
