Acla's Descent into Floristella

Directed by Aurelio Grimaldi

With Francesco Cusimano, Tony Sperandeo, Luigi Maria Burruano, Lucia Sardo and Giovanni Alamia

Set in Sicily in the 1930's, Aurelio Grimaldi's feature debut chronicles the harsh story of twelve-year-old boy, 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...