THE RULE OF SLEEP

28 min., 16mm, colour, stereo, Italy 1992

Produced with the support of the Süddeutscher Rundfunk Fernsehen of Stuttgart (that acquired the TV rights for Germany),
and written with the extraordinary collaboration of Tonino Guerra,

The protagonist of the film lives alone in his poor home, even if not without people to speak to, in the first place his ancestors, Lari ghosts of the house, but also spirits to exorcise. He keeps their photographs tied with string to the headboard of his bed. He accuses them all, peeking at them from under the covers. It is raining and the hovel in which he lives does not seem to be able to resist the thunderstorm. Water pours in from all sides and with it the memory of a woman met casually a long time ago insists itself into his mind, the only living break in his lazy and habitual thoughts. By many time her figure had disappeared from his heart: a hopeful image that helps him find his true face again.

Browse the backstage images

Credits

Screenplay and direction: Michele Fasano; 
Collaboration on the screenplay: Tonino Guerra; 
Photography: Thomas Henkel; 
Montage: Birgit Frank; 
Direct sound: Alessandro Saviozzi; 
Music:
Alessandro Saviozzi, Sado Sabbetta;
Set Design: Miresa Turci; 
Make-up: Maria Luisa Sacco; 
Actors:
Dalia Zipoli, Lello Milantoni; 
Texts:
 Giorgio Caproni, Rosita Copioli, Vittorio Sereni; 
Production: Sattva Films.

Festivals

1992Mostra Internazionale RiminiCinema, “Cinema School” section (Italy)
1993Festival International du Court Métrage di Clermont-Ferrand (France)
1995Festival International du Film de Locarno, “Leopards of tomorrow” section (Switzerland)
1995Filmmaker – Festival Internazionale del Cinema, Milano (Italy)