The relationship between Pienza and the cinema is deeper than one might imagine. It all began in 1950, when Curzio Malaparte, a famous writer and intellectual, chose the Val d’Orcia (and Montepulciano) as the setting for The Forbidden Christ, his only film as a director.
The film, starring Raf Vallone, Gino Cervi and Elena Varzi, emerged from a deep bond between the author and the region. According to chronicles and testimonies of the time, Malaparte spent long periods in the area, finding accommodation in rural homes and immersing himself in local life.
From that stay, a precious collection of letters and documents remains, revealing his authentic relationship with these places. A bond that marked the beginning of a long story between Pienza and the silver screen.