The lamb (L’agnello) – An advocacy movie by Mario Piredda

Most people probably don’t know that Sardinia, the second-largest island of Italy, hosts several military bases scattered across its territory.

Even fewer are likely aware of the protests over the last 20 years sparked by environmental poisoning in these areas. The Lamb (original title: L’Agnello), a film by debut director Mario Piredda, serves as a poignant, no-frills narrative about the devastation these bases have caused – and continue to cause – in the region.

This intense drama opens by introducing its main characters: Anita, portrayed by the young actress Nora Stassi, and her father, played by Luciano Curreli. The story revolves around their lives and their deeply personal struggles with cancer, a disease linked to pollution in the Quirra region. This stretch of land, granted to the military, first claimed the life of Anita’s mother and later afflicted her father. Against this backdrop of tragedy, Anita navigates her adolescence while trying to resolve the complex issues within her family.

It’s undeniable that the film often confronts viewers with harsh, unsettling scenes. Yet, despite the predictability of its conclusion, The Lamb succeeds in delivering a deeply moving story. It evokes powerful emotions and, perhaps more importantly, prompts us to reflect on political issues and the environmental impact on our homelands.

Maurizio Liscia