Italian Film Festival Matakana - Once Upon a Time

Ficarra is Salvo, a convinced atheist from Palermo and a thief of religious art pieces, while Picone co-stars as Father Valentino from Roccadimezzo Sicula, a priest fascinated by the iconic power of the nativity scene. Their two worlds collide on the eve of the Christmas holidays when, due to unknown magical forces, both find themselves transported across space and time to a real-life nativity scene: it’s Palestine in the year zero, only days before the birth of Jesus Christ...

Their fantastic journey together to a faraway world brings the pair to rediscover themselves and find courage in the face of great danger. Tasked with saving baby Jesus from the threat of King Herod (Massimo Popolizio, The ChampionIFF20), who is incensed by the news of the birth of the King of Kings, will Salvo and Father Valentino risk their own lives to succeed?

Over 2 Million admissions at the Italian box office.

WINNER

David of the Audience, David di Donatello Awards 2020