Liliana Cavani: Clare of Assisi would be the protagonist of my next film about Francis of Assisi

Director Liliana Cavani said she would make Clare of Assisi the protagonist of a future film about Francis of Assisi. Cavani told L'Osservatore Romano that without Clare, the message of poverty and fraternity established by the Saint of Assisi would have lacked continuity and memory.

The 93-year-old director has explored the life of Francis through two films and a television miniseries. Her earlier works include the 1966 Rai miniseries Francesco d’Assisi, the 1972 film version, and the 1989 film Francesco, which featured Helena Bonham-Carter as Clare. In the 2014 Rai miniseries Francesco, the role of Clare was played by Sara Serraiocco.

Cavani, who approaches the subject from a secular perspective, stated that the fraternity proposed by Francis remains relevant as a response to global crises, wars, and violence.