The Empire of the Sun (1956)

Documentary film by Mario Craveri and Enrico Gras

Original music: Chanson de Lima (1958) written by Francesco Angelo Lavagnino (1909–1987).

The orchestral adaptation by Santiago Bianchi and Luca Nizzia is based on the manuscript preserved at the “Luigi Chiarini” Library of the Experimental Centre of Cinematography in Rome.

Coordinated by Ludovico Fulci in collaboration with the Saint Louis College of Music in Rome.

The documentary recounts the lives of the descendants of the ancient Incas in the vast regions of Peru, among the ruins of cities, temples, fortresses and necropolises. Lake Titicaca is home to the Urus, one of the oldest peoples in America. These fishermen live on reed islands and celebrate the Feast of St Peter with particular devotion. The film contrasts their lands with the boundless horizons of the Andes, which are traversed by indigenous caravans. In an Andean village, the carnival combines joy and the cult of the dead, with banquets held at the tombs. In their continuous wanderings, the Indians travel far in search of work, from the 5,000-metre-high highlands to the tropical forest, where the Amazonian rivers become the main means of communication. In the forest, among the Yagua tribe, marriage is a solemn occasion. The guano islands, teeming with millions of birds, are a great natural treasure of Peru. 

Finally, in the ancient arena, a symbolic battle takes place between the condor, the national emblem of Peru, and the bull, a symbol of Spanish domination. The condor emerges victorious, is set free and flies towards the mountain peaks, carrying the hopes of the Andean people with it.

The film was shot in Peru. 

Awards:  Nastro d’Argento (1957) for Best Cinematography to Mario Craveri, David 1957 for best production (Renato Gualino)