Mimmo Paladino's 'La divina cometa' Blends Dante with Neapolitan Nativity

Mimmo Paladino's second film, 'La divina cometa,' premiered at the Rome Film Festival and will be released in Italian cinemas on May 11 via Officine Ubu. The film merges Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy' with Neapolitan Christmas tradition. Paladino compares filmmaking to sculpture, stating, 'Creating a film is analogous to sculpture, but it's like shaping light.' The screenplay was co-written with Maurizio Braucci, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay in 2017 for 'La paranza dei bambini.' The cast includes Tomas Arana, Nino D'Angelo, Francesco De Gregori, Alessandro Haber, Sergio Rubini, Toni Servillo, and others. Texts range from Dante to Aldo Nove, Enzo Moscato, and Francesco De Gregori. The film follows an actor playing Dante and a homeless family, guided by a divine comet, in a journey from hell to paradise. It will air on SkyArte on December 24, 2023.