The small Calabrian village of Cleto came to life on April 2nd, not with the arrival of spring, but with a premiere. The entire community gathered at the Cinema Teatro Sicoli in Amantea for a special screening of Il Vangelo di Giuda (The Gospel of Judas), a film that dramatically features their home as a backdrop to the ancient story. For a town of just over 1,000 residents, seeing their streets, their landscapes, and even familiar faces on the big screen is an event unlike any other. The screening wasn’t just a movie night; it was a communal celebration, organized by the local municipality to mark the film’s release and the region’s unexpected role in international cinema.
Il Vangelo di Giuda, written and directed by Giulio Base, reimagines the story of Judas Iscariot, presenting him not as a betrayer motivated by greed, but as a man driven to fulfill a tricky destiny. The film, a production of Agnus Dei Production and Minerva Pictures with Rai Cinema, received support from the Calabria Film Commission, and was filmed entirely across the region over four weeks, employing 71 local crew members. This commitment to local talent and locations underscores a growing trend of utilizing Italy’s diverse landscapes for large-scale productions.
Calabria as the Holy Land
The choice of Calabria as the filming location wasn’t accidental. Base and his team sought a landscape that could convincingly stand in for first-century Palestine. They found it in the rugged beauty of the region, a terrain characterized by ancient, austere natural features. Beyond Cleto, the production utilized a variety of striking locations, including the thousand-year-old platane tree in Curinga, the Abbey of Patire near Corigliano-Rossano, Lake Cecita within the Sila National Park, ancient cave dwellings, and the Grancia del Vurdoj agricultural estate in Caccuri. The imposing Castello Svevo and the historic center of Cosenza also feature prominently, each contributing to the film’s visual narrative.
A New Perspective on a Controversial Figure
The film’s narrative offers a provocative reinterpretation of Judas’s role in the biblical story. Rather than portraying him as a villain, Il Vangelo di Giuda presents a complex character burdened by a tragic fate. According to the film’s synopsis, Judas is depicted as a man born into hardship, finding himself protecting a brothel where he grew up, and ultimately choosing to condemn himself to enable the fulfillment of scripture. This interpretation, Base explains, is a “long, heartbreaking confession” about the shared fate of Judas and Jesus, a man who transitioned from selling women to ultimately “selling” a man.
A Calabrian Soundtrack and International Cast
The film’s connection to Calabria extends beyond its stunning locations. The score was composed by Checco Pallone, a composer from Cosenza, further embedding the region’s artistic talent within the production. The cast itself is international, featuring Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding) as Caiaphas, Paz Vega (Spanglish) as Mary, Tomasz Kot (Cold War) as Simon, Darko Peric (Money Heist) as Peter, John Savage (The Deer Hunter) as Joseph, Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant) as Herod, and Vincenzo Galluzzo as Jesus. Giancarlo Giannini provides the Italian voiceover for Judas.
Il Vangelo di Giuda received its world premiere out of competition at the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival in August 2025, as reported by the festival’s official website. The festival also showcased another Calabria-based production, Io non ti lascio solo, highlighting the region’s growing prominence in the Italian film industry, supported by the Film Commission.
The release of Il Vangelo di Giuda represents more than just a film premiere for Cleto and the wider Calabria region. It’s a moment of pride, a recognition of their landscapes and talent on an international stage. The film’s exploration of a complex biblical figure, coupled with its stunning visual presentation, is poised to spark conversation and draw attention to the often-overlooked beauty and cinematic potential of Southern Italy. The Calabria Film Commission is currently promoting incentives for further film and television production in the region, with details available on their website.
What comes next for the film? Distribution will expand across Italy in the coming weeks, and international sales are underway. The film’s reception will likely shape future productions choosing Calabria as a filming location.
What are your thoughts on this new take on the story of Judas? Share your comments below, and let us recognize if you plan to see Il Vangelo di Giuda.
