The Night of the Shooting Stars

La Notte di San Lorenzo follows several inhabitants of an Italian town during the end of World War II. Defeat is certain for the German army, and the front is retreating back to Germany, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The Germans plan to blow up several buildings in the town, and have told all the villagers to congregate in the town's church. Approximately half of the town decides to stay, and place their trust in the church. The rest of the town dresses in dark clothing, and go out to seek the Americans, who are rumored to be nearby, liberating towns as they come to them. The Night of the Shooting Stars (UK: The Night of San Lorenzo, Italian: La Notte di San Lorenzo) is a 1982 Italian fantasy war drama film directed by Paolo Taviani and Vittorio Taviani. It was entered into the 1982 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Jury Special Grand Prix. The film was also selected as the Italian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 55th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. La Notte di San Lorenzo (1982) Directed by: Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani Starring: Omero Antonutti, Margarita Lozano, Claudio Bigagli, Miriam Guidelli, Massimo Bonetti, Enrica Maria Modugno, Sabina Vannucchi Screenplay by: Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani Production Design by: Gianni Sbarra Cinematography by: Franco Di Giacomo Film Editing by: Roberto Perpignani Costume Design by: Lina Nerli Taviani Music by: Nicola Piovani Distributed by: United Artists Classics Release Date: September 16, 1982