Vatican aims for an Oscar with the story of Giacomo Mattivi

The Vatican is seeking an Oscar nomination with the documentary Green Lava, which tells the story of Giacomo Mattivi. Co-director Lia Beltrami told ACI Prensa that the 39-minute film follows the life of the 25-year-old Italian man as he lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The documentary depicts Mattivi's daily life and his goal of becoming a sociologist despite his progressive physical deterioration. Having lost much of his muscle strength over two decades, Mattivi now uses a wheelchair and requires many hours on a ventilator. Beltrami noted that the film portrays the moment Mattivi witnessed his older brother die from the same condition and explores how he finds the strength to move forward. The production also follows his parents as they raise children facing the hardships of the disease.