Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- nostalgic
- warm
- wistful
- slow weekend viewing
- italian cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an ambitious and visually rich Sicilian life panorama whose emotional and historical sweep was unevenly served by its storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Giuseppe's life is repeatedly presented alongside the changing life of Bagheria, making the Sicilian town more than a backdrop.
Peppino and Mannina's marriage develops while fascism, communism, poverty, and local power struggles reshape their community.
Bagheria's village life, poverty, political affiliations, and references to mafia and fascism define the film's historical texture.
Giuseppe's growth from shepherd to Communist Party member and political figure structures his adult life.
Films like Baaria, and why
The Leopard
multi-generational family saga set against political and social change, combining romance with regional history
Cinema Paradiso
nostalgic Italian village portrait blending personal memory, romance, comedy, and changing social realities
1900
sweeping historical family drama centered on class, ideology, and the transformation of Italian society
The Best of Youth
warm but expansive period drama about love, family, and political upheaval across decades
Movie Details
- Director
- Giuseppe Tornatore
- Release Date
- 2009-09-25
- Runtime
- 160 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (674)
Cast
- Francesco Scianna
- Margareth Madè
- Lina Sastri
- Ángela Molina
- Nicole Grimaudo
- Salvatore Ficarra
- Valentino Picone
- Gaetano Aronica
- Marco Iermanò
- Lollo Franco
Common questions
- What is Baaria about?
- A sweeping Sicilian family saga follows one man's journey from impoverished shepherd to political figure amid five decades of love, ideology, and community change.
- What is Baaria like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Baaria as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Baaria violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Baaria as mild.
- What did critics think of Baaria?
- Critics broadly found the film an ambitious and visually rich Sicilian life panorama whose emotional and historical sweep was unevenly served by its storytelling.
- Which films are like Baaria?
- Films with a similar feel include The Leopard, Cinema Paradiso, 1900, and The Best of Youth.
- How long is Baaria?
- Baaria runs 160 minutes.
