Directed by Stefano Mordini, La Scuola Cattolica (The Catholic School) is a 106-minute Italian drama that attempts to reconstruct the psychological and social origins of one of Italy's most notorious crimes: the 1975 Circeo massacre. Based on the Strega Prize-winning semi-autobiographical novel by Edoardo Albinati, the film serves as a bleak exploration of toxic masculinity, class privilege, and the failure of traditional institutions. A Foundation of Repression
While technically polished, La Scuola Cattolica received mixed reviews, currently holding a 14% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes . Major themes and critiques include: La scuola cattolica 2021 - 106 min Dramma
For much of its runtime, the movie functions as a coming-of-age drama, detailing the mundane but increasingly disturbing lives of sheltered, upper-middle-class boys. It depicts an environment where "Christian values" are taught alongside a culture of machismo, where dominance and physical aggression are seen as the only markers of manhood. The Descent into Violence Directed by Stefano Mordini, La Scuola Cattolica (The