Hot Docs

The sun doesn’t shine in the winter on the remote village of Viganella nestled deep in a valley in the Italian Alps. The villagers stay home, tourists don’t visit, and the normal bustle in the village square comes to a dreary halt. Then mayor Pierfranco Midali, an irrepressible dreamer and train driver for the state railway, and architect Bonzani have a brainstorm: they will erect a giant mirror on the mountain to reflect sunlight into the square! The villagers think Midali’s crazy, but as the project gains international attention, villagers, recently arrived eco-farmers, and members of an alternative Buddhist community are caught up in his vision. Veteran director David Christensen subtly weaves a vibrant cast of characters, village traditions, modern technology, and stunning Italian landscapes into a whimsical modern fairytale about ordinary people trying to catch the sun. - Lynne Fernie

Media Coverage

NOW Magazine (4-star Review), Tandem (review)