FILMS

Based on the scandalous true story of a young Jewish boy, Edgardo Mortara, who was abducted from his family home in Bologna in 1858 on the orders of Pope Pius IX, Kidnapped is the latest film from legendary Italian director Marco Bellocchio. In operatic fashion Bellocchio tells this harrowing tale of the Mortara family and their efforts to get their child back. Despite the family’s desperate pleas and public outrage, the Pope stands firm. Their story reveals a dark chapter of historical tyranny in the church set against the backdrop of a nation on the verge of revolution.

Official Selection: Cannes Film Festival

Winner: Best Film — Italian Golden Globes

“A moving story of faith, loss and family set against the backdrop of a significant moment in Italian history, Kidnapped brings Edgardo Mortara’s unforgettable story to life.” — Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Alliance of Women Film Journalists