The true story of a young girl whose courage, kindness and openness to forgive changed the lives of many people who knew her. A film about a girl who was able to repay malice with love, even to the man who murdered her.

Mary’s family, and Mary with them, go to work in the fields of a certain big landowner. He exploits the cheap labour to enrich himself, without providing the workers who work for him with adequate wages to live in dignity.

Malaria spreads among the workers and, since they do not have enough money even for quinine treatment, many die in the field. Mary’s father, among others. While he lives, he is synonymous in the film with courage, fortitude and honesty. An exemplary father in whose footsteps his daughter follows.

Because they are poor, the Goretti family lives in the same house with another worker and his son Alessandro. Alessandro’s father is a perpetually grumpy alcoholic who regularly insults and humiliates his son. He is full of hatred, which he transfers to his son.

A new priest who comes to the village where they live plays an important role in the film. He fights for the rights of the abused workers and recognises in Maria a strong and good girl. The values that this priest professes and that the local big landlord prefers are fought over. In particular, the different perceptions of a person’s worth in their eyes is well portrayed.

Parents Guide: The attempted rape of the young Maria Goretti. The killing of Mary by several stabbings with a knife. Alessandro’s father drunk several times.

Cast: Luisa Ranieri, Claudia Koll, Flavio Insinna

Crew: Giulio Base

Italy, 2003

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