Pestiferus Lupus
2025 ITA I 54 min | Italian
In a small, remote village in the Alps, Don Gaudenzio revives an ancient tradition: the exorcism mass against the wolf, a prayer once offered to God to protect the people from the fury of nature.
Two hundred years later, Pestiferus Lupus explores the consequences of the wolf’s return to Forno, one of the few mountain villages resisting depopulation. As the wilderness slowly reclaims the forest, shepherds gather to discuss and resist. In an Italy where the mountains seem forgotten, religion becomes the last stronghold against fear.
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Director's notes
This project emerged from the convergence of two directorial approaches: one inspired by documentary practice, the other by fiction. This collaboration allowed us to combine careful observation with a narrative sensibility, seeking to portray both the factual and symbolic dimensions of life in the mountains.
Our research led us to Forno, one of the few Alpine villages still resisting depopulation. By immersing ourselves in the community, we gradually came to understand its rhythms, its customs, and its collective memory. Rather than positioning ourselves as outside commentators, we sought to build a relationship of trust and let the daily reality of the inhabitants shape our perspective.
The return of the wolf to the Alps is a complex and controversial topic, often framed in political or ideological terms. Our intention was not to take a stance in this debate, but to focus on its concrete effects on those who live in direct contact with the land. By observing how fear, faith, and resilience intertwine, we aim to shed light on the broader question of how mountain communities negotiate continuity and change in a rapidly evolving environment.
Pestiferus Lupus aspires to be both a testimony and a reflection: a portrait of a community on the border between past and future, tradition and transformation.
Luca Jankovic, Ludovico Serra