Il Solengo

Il Solengo is a 2015 Italian documentary film that masterfully showcases the art of storytelling through the lens of reality. Directed by Matteo Zoppis and Alessio Rigo de Righi, who also pens down the script, this film transports viewers into the heart of rural Italy. At the core of the film is an enigmatic figure named Mario de Marcella, a man who lived an exceptionally solitary life away from the societal norms in the outskirts of a town near Rome.

The title of the film, 'Il Solengo,' is a term used by Tuscan hunters for a wild boar that has separated from the pack and it also represents an outcast, or a loner, a concept central to the film. The protagonist, De Marcella, is also known colloquially as 'Il Solengo' by the inhabitants of his village due to his unusual lifestyle. He lived in a cave in the wilderness, absent from the world. However, he isn't the direct focus of the story. Instead, he remains an elusive figure spoken of by others.

The film mainly centres on interviews of old men who know or knew of De Marcella, which take place in the same kitchen, an old gathering space in the town. Through their commentary and anecdotes, an image of Il Solengo gradually emerges, but instead of having a fixed blueprint, the image of the man is uncertain, it ebbs and flows, and with each version of the story, the man takes another form.

Throughout the film, the directors show impeccable skill in blending elements of documentary realism with the storytelling prowess of Italian neorealism. They do not impose their interpretation of the man on us, rather, they let the narrators take control, allowing the story to unfold naturally.

The filmmakers refrain from creating any narrative arc themselves, and one of the highlights of the film is its examination of how folklore and myths are born and how reality can become warped in memories. The same story is retold with variations, giving the feel of a poetic oral history that changes with each teller's recollection and interpretation. Although essentially a talking-head documentary, it thoroughly blends the folkloric with the documented, the primal with the modern.

Il Solengo is unlike most other documentaries. One could almost compare it to an anthropological study where, through the tales of Il Solengo, the film also paints a picture of Italian rural life, its social dynamics, and long-standing traditions. The audience is asked to live with the complexity and even inconsistencies in the memories of those who tell the story, mirroring the complexities of all human memories.

Ercole Colnago, Bruno di Giovanni, and Ugo Farnetti are among those who recount their experiences and interactions with Mario de Marcella. Their vivid narratives form the backbone of the film, and each of them brings immense authenticity to the narratives they provide.

Visual aesthetics play a crucial role in the film. The lush, cinematic shots of the rustic Italian landscape further add depth to this intriguing narrative, revealing a closeup of rural life and the solitude that comes with it. The cinematography is splendidly accomplished, transitioning between the talking heads and the evocative countryside. The compositions of the countryside are incredibly beautiful, capturing the raw and mesmerizing land where De Marcella led his hermitic life.

The film is backed by a haunting soundscape which greatly accentuates its visceral impact. The sound of birdcalls, cicadas, wind rustling the trees or waves crashing on the shore lends an eerie yet beautiful atmosphere to the film.

In its entirety, Il Solengo is a powerful collage of personal memories, folk tales, and rumors that collectively shape the portrayal of an enigmatic man, at once known and unknowable. It's an intriguing exploration of the creation and fickleness of human memory, the power of traditional storytelling, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction. The film pushes the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking, presenting a discursive narrative that is just as compelling as its mysterious lead character. Looking beyond the veneer of surface details, it invites the audience to grapple with greater themes of solitude, society, and the individual's place within it.