THOU SHALT NOT HATE
Directed by Mauro Mancini
Simone Segre (Alessandro Gassmann) is a successful surgeon with an elegant Italian flat and no ties. Want of nothing, he lives a reasonably carefree existence, despite not having had the best relationship with his recently deceased father, a Holocaust survivor.
This changes when one day, while boating, he witnesses a terrible car accident. Once on the scene, as a doctor, his instinct is to intervene and save the victim’s life. However, when Simone discovers a Nazi tattoo on the older man’s chest, he cannot set aside his own prejudice. Torn between his profession’s ethical principles and his own conscience, he ultimately leaves the man to his fate. Immediately, Simone is tormented by guilt and unable to shake his moral ambiguity. He begins an investigation into the victim and his family, eventually meeting Marica (Sara Serraiocco), his oldest daughter, Marcello (Luka Zunic), his racist teenage son, and innocent little Paolo (Lorenzo Buonora). Realizing that the family is struggling, Simone employs Marica as his housekeeper. Though genuinely wishing to lessen her financial burden, he also hopes to assuage his own remorse and ascertain whether he had made the right decision.
Set in a northeastern region of Italy with deep Jewish roots and a diverse, multi-ethnic population, this gripping, award-winning film debut by Italian director Mauro Mancini is not merely a story about racial hatred and xenophobia: it is an exploration of the human soul in all its contradictions.
Join us after the film for a discussion with director Mauro Mancini on Thursday, November 19 at 12 PM EST.
OFFICIAL SELECTION:
- Venice International Film Festival
AWARDS:
- Best Actor, Alessandro Gassmann and Best Italian Film | Venice International Film Festival