Against the background of flocks of sheep at pasture, mules walking down unpaved roads, tractors in the fields, and isolated figures in a deserted village, a caption explains that Barbagia is a vast region in Sardinia; Orgosolo, Oliena and Mamoiada are villages of shepherds and the men spend most of the year far away, with their flocks. This is why the houses and the children are entrusted to the women, who cut the wood, work the fields and prepare bread, shepherds’ bread.
Cinematography
De Seta's compositions turn sheep and stone into fresco.
Direction
Ethnographic without the condescension—mostly.
Editing
Eleven minutes that feel like witnessing actual time.
Director
Vittorio De Seta
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
De Seta shot this at 29, kicking off a career documenting Italy's invisible laborers. The 'Day' in the title is deeply ironic—this is endless.
Barbagia's bandit reputation (hence 'barbarian' etymology) haunts the film's reception—viewers often project danger onto its radical mundanity.
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