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S’Ardia


Set in the rural Sardinian farming village of Sedilo, shepherd Leonardo Pes has ridden the ancient S’Ardia horse race for more than thirty years. A sacred catholic ritual set among dusty mountains and harsh Italian light, more than a hundred riders test their devotion against its dangers in honour of Saint Constantine.

This year, Leonardo is asked to lead S'Ardia, an honour granted only once in a lifetime. Breaking with tradition, he asks his son Andrea to ride beside him, the first father and son to lead the ritual together in its 200-year history.

'S'Ardia' follows Leonardo and Andrea as they prepare their horses, tend to their sheep, and move through the quiet rhythms of pastoral life. As the race approaches, Leonardo reflects on the beauty of fatherhood, the responsibility that comes with tradition, and the meaning of a life so deeply connected with horses.

Director: Billy Barraclough
Producer: Arthur Sharples
Executive Producers: Holly Fraser & Alex Kahl
Cinematographer: Sam Finney
Editor: Dennis Mabry
Composer: Szymon Wojcik 
Sound Design: Antek Rutczynski
Colourist: Juliette Wileman
Colour Producer: Studio RM
Designer: Logan Buchanan
Line Producer: Sam Haywood
Production Company: Art Production
Camera Operator 1: Felix Wildey
Camera Operator 2: Dominic Joyce
Camera Operator 3: Roberto Cubeddu
Assistant Camera: Felix Wildey
Sound Recordist: Cladine Curreli
Additional Foley: Maximillien Antoine Gontard
Field Producer: Claudia Muredda
Fixer: Barbara Vitale
Location Support: Pietro Cubeddu  
Translator: Claudia Marredda
Interview Writer: Gilda Bruno
Italian Language Consultant: Fabio Amurri 
Singer: Daniele Giallara

©Billy Barraclough