Shot in Sardinia, this ancient and enchanted origins story of biblical couple Mary (Maria) and Joseph (Giuseppe) from Paolo Zucca imagines Mary’s life and dreams as a young woman, before the annunciation. Maria (Benedetta Porcaroli, THE SHADOW OF THE DAY IFF22) is a young girl from Nazareth. As a woman, she is forbidden from doing many things, including learning to read and write. In the synagogue, she listens enthusiastically to the prophets, who demand explanations from God as equals, and she becomes inspired by the Bible stories told by the prophets. She soon gains a streak of defiance, dreaming of freedom, knowledge, adventure and escape. In Giuseppe (Alessandro Gassmann, THE ORDER OF TIME IFF23), a charming and powerful man, she finds a teacher and accomplice. But an unexpected obstacle arises and Maria rebels against God’s plan, which does not coincide with hers. Inspired by the 1979 controversial feminist novel by Barbara Alberti, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARY is a fascinating tale of love, destiny, duty and rebellion.