A touching true story of a young black woman who, despite the many hardships she experienced in her life, knew how to live life with love, forgiveness and in joy. And she was able to “infect” other people with that love and joy. Bakhita was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2000.

Bakhita was born in Sudan and was taken into slavery as a child. For a time she was the slave of a black slave owner from whom she was bought by Federico Marin, a Venetian merchant.

Federico decided to bring Bakhita to Italy for his sick daughter Aurora, whose brave and kind mother died in childbirth, choosing to save her child’s life rather than her own. Federico brought Bakhita to his home to serve him and care for his daughter Aurora.

In Italy, Bakhita also experiences but humiliation and abuse. However, through her love, she gradually changes the people around her. She and Aurora become very close after a while, as if Bakhita is Aurora’s own mother.

When smallpox breaks out Bakhita is one of the few willing to help the seriously ill and dying. At that time she escapes, however, from the tyrant Federico Marin, who does not give up on her so easily. Also thanks to his intrigues, she ends up in a convent in Venice, where she eventually stays to live and help.

She becomes a nun and her big heart is open to the many abandoned children living in Venice. With her love, Bakhita is eventually able to change even the heart of the hard and unhappy Federico.

There are many wonderful moments in the film, which is due to the excellent direction and acting.

Parents Guide: Federico and Angelica kissing. Exposed breasts of African women. Mistreatment of slaves, abuse, e.g. hanging a slave on a cross and his death, flogging Bakhita, etc. Sometimes brutal killings in showing the raiding of African settlements. The pronunciation of “Lord God”. Swearing at pigs. Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: probably smoking once, drinking wine a couple of times. Anguishing Angelica in childbirth, after which she dies. Disrespectful treatment of a priest. Theatrical overindulgence of simple women. The insolent behaviour of the girl Aurora towards adults. The animals in the church.

Cast: Fatou Kine Boye, Ettore Bassi, Sonia Bergamasco, Stefania Rocca, Alberto Molinari

Crew: Giacomo Campiotti

Italy, 2009

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