The life of Benedetto Croce, Italian philosopher and senator, is an epic tale of survival and passion, woven with tragedies and intense rivalries from his youth. This is where the documentary, directed by Maestro Pupi Avati and produced by Minerva Pictures, begins, depicting his political depth, academic talent, commitment to freedom, and philosophical vision.
It all starts in 1883, when a devastating earthquake in Ischia takes the lives of his parents and sister. However, from the ashes of this tragedy, an unstoppable force arises. His passion for philosophy and literature becomes his shield against depression and loneliness, turning pain into determination.
One of the most emblematic episodes to understand Benedetto as a man, beyond being a politician or philosopher, was his friendship with Giovanni Gentile, another intellectual giant of the era. Their friendship began in 1896, but by the late 1920s, the two parted ways politically due to fascism, an ideology that became the source of great rivalry between the two intellectuals. Despite Croce’s initial sympathy for the regime, he distanced himself from it, while Gentile became an active supporter. During World War II, Italy was devastated by conflict, and Florence was under Mussolini’s control. On April 15, 1944, a group of young communist students assassinated Gentile right in front of his villa in Florence. The news reached Croce in Naples, hitting him like lightning, even though the two friends hadn’t spoken in years. This event led him to reflect on the absurdity of violence that even affected intellectuals.
In an Italy torn apart by politics, Croce found himself involved in the national unity government, but his earlier sympathy for fascism came back to haunt him. Palmiro Togliatti, one of the heroes of the Italian Communist Party, openly criticized him, dividing even young antifascists. Amidst these turbulent events, Benedetto Croce’s life intertwined with Italy’s political history, becoming a reflection of the ideological conflicts and tensions of his time. This is the compelling story of a man who defied fate, facing tragedies and rivalries, and emerging as a beacon of wisdom in a tumultuous era.
