A film by Enrico Maisto

Italian citizens can be called to serve on juries for certain criminal cases. They don't get much time to think about it, either: on the day before appearing for jury selection, they're randomly selected by a computer system. And so, one morning at 10 o'clock, 60 tense Italians take their place in a Court of Assizes that was, as one potential juror whispers, built under Mussolini. The camera never gives an overview shot, but always films each individual in close-up. Their whispers, nervous questions, funny comments and discomfort are all captured and brought together in a soft cacophony full of reflection on this remarkable civic duty. A drawn-out and infamous criminal case from 1974 and the judge’s claim that no one needs to be scared of the mafia lend an extra dimension to this fascinating cinematic observation.

Festivals and Awards

58 Festival dei Popoli  (Audience Award), IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Milano Film Network, Budapest International Documentary Film Festival, DocPoint Helsinki International Documentary Film Festival, Terra di Cinema, Crossing Europe International Film Festival Linz, HOT DOCS (Best Mid-Lenght Documentary Award)