The Tale of King Crab (Italian: Re Granchio) is a 2021 period drama film directed by Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis. It is an international co-production involving Italy, Argentina, and France. The film is structured as a folk legend, inspired by oral traditions the directors encountered in the Italian countryside.
Plot and Structure The narrative is divided into two distinct chapters. The first part, set in the late 19th century in the village of Vejano in Tuscia, Italy, follows Luciano, a wandering outcast and the son of a local doctor. Luciano becomes embroiled in a conflict with the local nobility over a closed gateway, which leads to a tragic event and his eventual exile.
The second part of the film takes place years later in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Luciano, now living under a different identity, joins a group of gold prospectors. He utilizes a map to search for a mythical treasure, navigating the harsh and desolate landscape of the southern tip of South America.
Production and Release The film marks the narrative feature debut of Rigo de Righi and Zoppis, who previously worked in documentary filmmaking. It stars Gabriele Silli in the lead role of Luciano. The cinematography, noted for its use of natural light and landscape, was handled by Simone D'Arcangelo.
The Tale of King Crab premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) section. It was subsequently screened at several international film festivals, including the New York Film Festival and the Seville European Film Festival, where it received critical attention for its blend of realism and mythic storytelling.
