Milan, spring 1972. Amidst a tense election campaign marked by frequent clashes and turmoil, the city is shocked by the murder of sixteen-year-old Maria Grazia Martini in the suburbs. The right-leaning newspaper “Il Giornale,” in collusion with the police, quickly constructs a narrative, dubbing a “monster” and pinning the blame on activists from the extra-parliamentary left for political gain. This film meticulously captures a specific historical moment while delving into the enduring issue of media manipulation and its entanglement with political power.

The 4K restoration has been realized by the Cineteca di Bologna, in collaboration with Surf Film, Kavac Film, and Minerva Pictures, under the supervision of Bellocchio himself; the original film and sound negatives were digitized by Augustus Color and restored at the L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory.