Critics and viewers alike are abuzz with the excitement surrounding ‘Il Moro,’ the remarkable short film that tells the tale of Alessandro de Medici, Florence’s first Duke of African descent, who was the illegitimate son of Pope Clement VII, born to an enslaved African woman.
Daphne di Cinto’s stunning directorial debut celebrates resilience and diversity while challenging viewers to dig deeper into the historical stories they thought they knew.
The Man Behind the Curtain
Based on actual events, ‘Il Moro’ depicts the often-forgotten life story and rise to power of Alessandro, who turns out to be the unexpected heir of the Medici dynasty, in spite of his illegitimate status and his family’s refusal to accept him.
‘Il Moro’ takes viewers back in time to Florence, Italy during the Renaissance, during the reign of the eminent Medici family. By 1592, only three men born of the main lineage of the House of Medici remained – Alessandro de’ Medici, Ippolito de’ Medici, and Pop Clemente VII. All three men were born illegitimately, leading to a power struggle among them. When Alessandro is unexpectedly named the first Duke of Florence, and therefore, the first Afro-Italian person to head a government in Western Europe.
Despite his high-ranking position in one of history’s most prestigious Italian families, Alessandro is plagued by the stigma of his birth as he fights to come to terms with his roots and face his biological father’s refusal to accept him. Amid his internal struggles with his identity, he faces a villainous adversary in his cousin, Ippolito, whose power-hungry attacks aim to knock Alessandro out of his position.
This film weaves a beautiful tapestry of historical facts, tales of power struggles in one of Italy’s most prominent families, internalized identity crises, and the triumph of Western Europe’s first Afro-Italian leader. Backed by an enchanting soundtrack that perfectly blends period and contemporary music, the visually arresting cinematography of this film perfectly embodies the Medici’s opulent world of grandeur.
Highlighting the Bigger Picture
In a blazing victory, director Daphne di Cinto’s ‘Il Moro’ won the Oscar-qualifying Reel Sisters Film Festival in New York, which places the project in 2024’s “For Your Consideration Live Action Short Film” category. This triumphant win not only puts ‘Il Moro’ on the road to the Oscars, but also stresses the importance of supporting female directors and representing diverse voices and storytelling in the film industry.
Di Cinto has embarked on a tour that crisscrosses North America at prestigious academic institutions to discuss her award-winning film and foster an open dialogue about Alessandro de’ Medici and the importance to bringing to light other stories from the African diaspora that are yet to be told.
Viewer can see the official trailer here on Youtube.
The director has partnered with Creative Visions, a non-profit, that empowers creative activist storytellers such as herself to spread their message and advocate for social change. Learn how you can support Il Moro with a tax-deductible donation here at Creative Visons.
For more information on Il Moro and ways you can support the film, visit www.ilmorofilm.com
