This very interesting war film by Ermanno OLMI (1931-2018) was shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001 and was nominated for the Palme d'Or. It's about Giovanni de Medici (1498-1526), who, as Giovanni with the Black Ribbons, was a very popular military leader of the Italian Renaissance. The story had already been filmed in 1956 as the Italian adventure film GIOVANNI DALLE BANDE NERE / THE BLACK KNIGHTS OF BORGOFORTE by Sergio GRIECO with Vittorio GASSMAN in the title role.
But Ermanno OLMI's film takes a completely different path. This is not a lightly entertaining adventure film, but rather an almost philosophical discussion of the horrors of war. Giovanni de Medici is played in OLMI by the Bulgarian actor Hristo ZHIVKOV (1975-2023), who lost his battle with lung cancer last year. The war between the papal troops and the mercenaries fighting for the emperor is a dark and dirty affair in OLMI. The craft of weapons (that's how the original Italian title could be translated) is a pretty dirty business in which the aim is to outdo the opponent with intrigues and new types of weapons. In the case of Giovanni de Medici, who still fights with lances against Georg von Frundsberg's mercenaries, it is the firearms that bring even more death that give the craftsmen of war a decisive advantage. A charismatic and aggressive leader like the hothead Giovanni de Medici has to give up his arms at some point.
OLMI casts all the actors as if they had stepped out of Renaissance paintings. When it comes to setting, this film does something remarkable. Unfortunately, this Italian film gem has remained far under the radar of attention. What is offered is certainly not entertaining film fare, but a clever reflection on the depths of the craft of war at all times in human history.
Highly recommended!
