Artefacts

Abuna Messias

Artefact Type:

film

Description:
Spectacular historical film on the figure of the bishop Giuglielmo Massaia (1801-1886), Abuna Messias for the Ethiopians, who was engaged for almost 40 years in an apostolate mission in Ethiopia, during which he befriended the king Menelik. He carries out this mission with exemplary dedication to the local population, but is opposed by the dominant Coptic Church. The film was marked by both religious and political-patriotic motives, and was funded by the religious order of San Paolo.

Duration (mins):
93
Release Date:
1939-08-31
Director:
> Goffredo Alessandrini
Assistant Director:
> Umberto Scarpelli
Producer:
> Alessandro Gagna
Composer:
> Mario Gaudiosi
Composer:
> Don Licinio Refice
Screenwriter:
> Luigi Bernardi
Screenwriter:
> Vittorio Cottafavi
Screenwriter:
> Domenico Meccoli
Screenwriter:
> Cesare Vico Lodovici
Scenic Designer:
> Carlo Pouchain
Actor:
> Camillo Pilotto
Actor:
> Mario Ferrari
Actor:
> Enrico Musy (known as 'Enrico Glori')
Production Company:
> R.E.F.
Genre:
> Historical Drama

Tags: State art Subjectivity Escapism Public or civic sphere Private sphere Collectivity Internationalization Sacralization Hegemony Totalitarian consent

Themes:

Colonial Religious Propaganda