“Christ did stop at Eboli, where the road and the railway leave the coast and turn into the desolate reaches of Lucania. Christ never came this far, nor did time, nor the individual soul, nor hope, nor the relation of cause and effect, nor reason, nor history, no one has come to this land except as an enemy, a conqueror, or a visitor devoid of understanding. The seasons pass today over the toil of the peasants just as they did 3000 years before Christ. To this shadowy land, that knows neither sin nor redemption from sin, where evil is not moral but is only the pain residing forever in earthly things, Christ did not come; Christ stopped at Eboli.”

Based on an autobiographical book by Carlo Levi, who was exiled by the fascist regime of Italy because of his anti-fascism political activities, this film is an observation of the “peasants” life, who live in the place where Levi is exiled, and their influence on Levi’s thoughts and Levi’s influence over them. Through 150 minutes (at least, the version I watched) Francesco Rosi shows you the superstitions, absurdities, and wrong ways of life the peasants are dealing with, but they’re not despicable at all. Levi starts to help the people of the village, practices medicine and heals them (although despite of his degree, he had never practiced before), to the point that the villagers couldn’t let go of Levi at the end, when he was liberated. The political events and history of Italy at the time are mentioned. This humanistic, beautiful film is accompanied by a sentimental, comforting music. Yes, Christ stopped at Eboli, but is it people’s fault?