Acla's Descent into Floristella
1992Set in Sicily in the 1930's, Aurelio Grimaldi's feature debut chronicles the harsh story of twelve-year-old boy, Aclà, sold into slavery by his destitute parents to work in the underground Floristella sulfur mines. Overworked and underfed, Aclà toils from Monday to Saturday in the steamy, candle-lit labyrinths. Repeatedly beaten and abused by his "owner" and with constant threats of being raped, Aclà plots his escape to the sea...
Acted in
Francesco Cusimano
as Aclà Rizzuto
Tony Sperandeo
as Caramazza
Luigi Maria Burruano
as Aclà's father
Lucia Sardo
as Aclà's mother
Giovanni Alamia
as Salvo
Giuseppe Calcagno
as Maurizio Rizzuto
Benedetto Raneli
as The priest
Giuseppe Cusimano
as Maurizio Rizzuto
Rita Barbanera
as Concetta Rizzuto
Salvatore Scianna
as Calogero Rizzuto
Ignazio Donato
as Pietro
Luciano Venturino
as Pino Rizzuto
Tano Cimarosa
Giuseppe Calcagno