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- Aug 1
- 2 min read
What happens when an almost abandoned medieval village in Italy is rediscovered by curious creative minds from Northern Europe, do their ideals collide with local realities?
Tempi Belli, Tempi Brutti is a documentary about a sleepy mountain village, founded in the 16th century. Thriving well into the early 20th century, the village once had shops, bars, a school, skilled craftsmen, and around 250 inhabitants. During the 1950s, however, its population gradually declined as people moved away.
In the 1960s, the village was rediscovered by urban intellectuals from Northern Europe, drawn by the beauty of the landscape, the tranquillity, the timeless atmosphere, the affordability of abandoned houses, and the promise of a simple, slower, more meaningful way of life.
This documentary explores what happens when two cultures—with very different backgrounds, traditions, and expectations—come to share the same space and touches upon questions of belonging, power and cultural ownership and who has the right to shape the future of a place.
The film is based on interviews with both Italian villagers and newcomers who settled to spend their holidays there.
How do the newcomers relate to the original inhabitants, their traditions, and the local way of life? And how do those who were born and raised in the village respond to the needs, demands and values of the newcomers?
The documentary reveals that, although life in the village may appear peaceful and harmonious, underlying tensions and misunderstandings continue to simmer beneath the idyllic surface.
The story of this village is not unique. Although deeply rooted in one particular place in Italy, it reflects a transition taking place across Europe. Countless rural communities, once vibrant and self-sufficient, have witnessed decades of depopulation as younger generations left in search of education, employment, and new opportunities elsewhere. The village becomes a microcosm of Europe itself: a place where different histories, cultures, and expectations meet, collide, and negotiate a shared future.
Ultimately, the film asks universal questions about identity, ownership, memory, and coexistence. As Europe continues to redefine itself, these stories remind us that the future of a place depends not only on restoring its buildings, but also on understanding its people, histories, and relationships that give it meaning.
Featuring:
Carel Alphenaar; Hedy d ’Ancona; Peter Brusse; Marisa Gastaldi; Aart Gisolf; Loet Hanekroot; Ugo Perotto; Franca Pignone; Gianni Ricelli; Bruna Trucchi; Beppe Trucchi; Rina Viale.
Documentary by Doerte U. Engelkes & Carla Delfos – 2026 (33 min)
A Production of audinfilm media production & Art Futures Foundation (Italy, Netherlands, Germany); English Subtitles
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