Il Mistero di Dante

2014· 90 min★ 5.7· Biography, History, Mystery

A journey in the footsteps of the most famous initiate of Italian Trecento, the author of the celebrated "Divine Comedy". A poet who has inspired some of the most outstanding minds in History. Since the 19th century, many important scholars have tried to unfold the mystery hidden behind Dante's terzine. During this voyage we will try to go one step further in the understanding of this secret. Our direction will be marked by the traces left by some of the most distinguished authorities in the field of the esoteric significance of Dante's works. Our exploration will follow the suggestions of the most important contemporary researchers in the sphere of esoteric studies and Dante's writings. The voice of a mysterious character interpreting Dante's verses will help us delve into this subject. Two perspectives: the exoteric and the esoteric one. Any profane science can be traced back to another science relating to the same subject, but considering it from a deeper point of view, in the same kind of relationship existing between the higher sense of the scriptures and their literal meaning. A journey into the world of St. John, representing the interior Church and of St. Peter, representing the exterior Church. A poem directly rooted in the sacred texts of the Islamic tradition, in authors like Mohyiddin Ibn Arabi or in writings as the Book of the Night Journey of Muhammad. The distinction of three separate worlds setting up the general plan of the "Divine Comedy" is common to all traditional doctrines. We will examine why the ascent to Heaven must necessarily be preceded by a descent into Hell. Through the study of the different manifestations of the western initiatic tradition, from the chivalric orders to the Rosicrucians, we will try to cast a new light on a neglected side of Dante.

Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Taylor Hackford, Franco Zeffirelli, Christopher Vogler

Director: Louis Nero