Aurelio Grimaldi's feature debut chronicles the harsh story of twelve-year-old boy named 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..."Acla" is a tragic and sad Italian drama with several truly horrible scenes of child abuse.It shows how cruel and abusive adult people can be in the times of extreme poverty.The performances are great and the climax is very sad.It's hard to enjoy such assault on the senses.8 sulfur mines out of 10.
7 Reviews
A Boy's dreams and the Reality of film
thinker169114 July 2005
" Acla, The Descent into Floristella, " an Italian film purports to tell the story of Acla, excellently played by Francesco Cusimano. If the viewer is enticed by the film's trailer, then he will be disappointed with the movie. The story is of a young boy who is sold into living bondage and sexual slavery. Try as you will, no rape or torture scenes ever materialize, as suggested by the trailer. Instead the viewer is offered a collage of scenes where the actors 'talk' about their miserable existence. Filmed in what appears to be a sulfur mine, the actors all male, are literally stripped and forced to work in the nude, hence the possibility of older men taking advantage of naked young boys. Except for a lot of threats, arguing, and fist fighting, the film never delivers anything but a collection of philosophical statements and illusionary homosexual scenes. All in all, the trailer is more interesting than the film which lacks structure and resolution. Other than the Cusimano, and his dream, the film offers little else. ***
CHILD ABUSE OR REALITY CINEMA
trumpetplayer227 October 2021
A startlingly realistic film about a young 11 year old boy, Aclà, following his older brothers and father into Sicilian sulphur mines. It is set in 1930s and at a time when such effective slavery was prevalent - the boy's father effectively sells him to another miner for 500 lira (death warranty). The film is raw and thanks to some excellent acting on the boy's part very realistic as he faces what appears to be the accepted mores of the time where boys were used not only as slave workers but also as sex objects for older miners from Monday to Saturday. I do not believe you can watch the film and not be seriously moved - particularly as there are likely modern day similar scenarios where boys and young men are exploited away from the prying sight of media - though no longer in Europe. A salutary reminder of what can happen particularly where indigent families are effectively forced to sell children.
Prepare yourself before viewing.
shneur2 April 2006
This is the story of a young adolescent in an Italian mining community, ostensibly (or hopefully) at some time in the past. He is indentured in a traditional apprenticeship system that makes him a virtual slave to his bosses. The inferno-like conditions of sulphur mining, the sexual exploitation resulting from week-long separation of husbands from wives, and the ever-present danger of the mines combine construct a real-life allegory for the dual "open" and "subterranean" levels of human nature. Acla's boyish exuberance, sensitivity and idealism set him fundamentally at odds with his environment. Aurelio Grimaldi's excellent direction ensures you won't know the outcome until the closing credits roll. This is not an easy film to watch: I felt emotionally drained for a long time afterward. Be warned.
Another Excellent Film Out Of Italy
robertvannsmith25 July 2002
I've known about this film for quite some time now but did not get around to watching it until today.
A film based on a boy's real life, this movie depicts a time in history when everyone had to work to support the family, even children.
Acla Rizzuto, wonderfully portrayed by Francesco Cusimano, comes of age and has to go to work with his father in the sulfur mines, sulfur which is being used for the war. Unfortunately, Acla is sold into what appears to be slavery and is required to work for his "master" for eight years, from age 11 until age 19). This appeared to be a normal thing during that time period.
Even though Acla's working conditions and frequent beatings were rough, they never seemed to dash a boy's dreams of a better life.
An excellent movie for all ages.
A film based on a boy's real life, this movie depicts a time in history when everyone had to work to support the family, even children.
Acla Rizzuto, wonderfully portrayed by Francesco Cusimano, comes of age and has to go to work with his father in the sulfur mines, sulfur which is being used for the war. Unfortunately, Acla is sold into what appears to be slavery and is required to work for his "master" for eight years, from age 11 until age 19). This appeared to be a normal thing during that time period.
Even though Acla's working conditions and frequent beatings were rough, they never seemed to dash a boy's dreams of a better life.
An excellent movie for all ages.
Visually Beautiful Presentation of a Brutal Setting
RDates19 July 2001
The film presents a brutal, dark view of sulfur mining in Sicily during the early twentieth century. The coarse, vulgar characters contrast with the young boy who is resilient, tough and yet innocent. Visually, the film presents a beautiful interplay of earth colors.
Without question, the worst movie I've ever seen
Ralph_Wiggum4 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
WARNING: (contains spoilers)
And the point of making this movie was....?
I've never seen anything like it. An utterly grim, hopeless tale of a young boy sold into slavery by his own father (you read it right). This kid, who can't be more than 11 years old, goes off to work in the mines. Once there, he is continually propositioned for sex by adult workers, witnesses his new friends being beaten by the brutish boss, and earns a beating himself for falling asleep on overnight guard duty of soome sulfur. He runs away and returns home, where his mother ridicules him until his father shows up to claim him and bring him back (yes, another child beating takes place). He runs away again, is caught again, and thus we are forced to witness perhaps the most graphic, nauseating, stomach-turning case of child abuse ever shot on film, complete with realistic screams and cries. The movie ends with the kid returning to the mine completely devoid of hope, resigned to being a slave.
I can just see the director in the meeting with the movie's writers and producers before they shot this travesty. "Hey guys, let's shoot a film where we can put as much child abuse and exploitation in it as we can, and then throw the audience an ending that will make them want to vomit!" And apparently, the producers must have nodded and said, "Good, let's go with it!' because that's exactly what they did.
A truly wretched use of the cinema, and a film I wish I had never seen. Unless you somehow enjoy going to the movies to become deeply depressed, I'd suggest that you avoid this film at all costs.
And the point of making this movie was....?
I've never seen anything like it. An utterly grim, hopeless tale of a young boy sold into slavery by his own father (you read it right). This kid, who can't be more than 11 years old, goes off to work in the mines. Once there, he is continually propositioned for sex by adult workers, witnesses his new friends being beaten by the brutish boss, and earns a beating himself for falling asleep on overnight guard duty of soome sulfur. He runs away and returns home, where his mother ridicules him until his father shows up to claim him and bring him back (yes, another child beating takes place). He runs away again, is caught again, and thus we are forced to witness perhaps the most graphic, nauseating, stomach-turning case of child abuse ever shot on film, complete with realistic screams and cries. The movie ends with the kid returning to the mine completely devoid of hope, resigned to being a slave.
I can just see the director in the meeting with the movie's writers and producers before they shot this travesty. "Hey guys, let's shoot a film where we can put as much child abuse and exploitation in it as we can, and then throw the audience an ending that will make them want to vomit!" And apparently, the producers must have nodded and said, "Good, let's go with it!' because that's exactly what they did.
A truly wretched use of the cinema, and a film I wish I had never seen. Unless you somehow enjoy going to the movies to become deeply depressed, I'd suggest that you avoid this film at all costs.
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