Francesca Bertin

A bear is hunted and caged. But he escapes again and again. He is loved as much as he is feared. A hybrid of wilderness and projection. The film PAPILLON follows his trail. And also becomes a hybrid. Of documentary and myth.

The Tara is a river on the outskirts of Taranto whose waters are believed to have healing properties; bathing there is a tradition for the inhabitants of the city. Starting from this bucolic place, Volker Sattel and Francesca Bertin take us on a journey through a territory where myths clash with reality and where so-called “progress” has taken a heavy toll on nature and society.

Beyond the forest is the city of tomorrow, before the forest are the villages of yesterday.