Fremantle is offering up a documentary about the life and legacy of Saint Peter, presented by Roberto Benigni and landing on Rai 1 this month.
From Fremantle-owned Stand By Me, The Life of St. Peter was made in partnership with the Vatican during the Jubilee year. Filmed in the Vatican and Rome, the doc sees Benigni visit St. Peter’s Dome, the Basilica and The Vatican Necropolis. It premieres on Rai 1 on December 10 as a feature-length prime-time event.
Benigni said, “While I was preparing this work about Peter, I fell in love… I completely fell in love with Peter. As I was reading his story, I kept thinking: ‘But that’s me! I would have done the same!’ How fond I’ve grown of him, because Peter is just like us and resembles us so deeply. His humanity is the humanity of us all: he gets angry, acts on impulse, makes mistakes, misunderstands, cries, laughs, falls asleep, suffers, rejoices, and lets himself be moved – just like we do! He was given the greatest task ever entrusted to a human being: to open or close the gates of Heaven. Incredible!”
Simona Ercolani, CEO at Stand By Me, added, “Producing this TV event has been an extraordinary privilege—from collaborating with Roberto Benigni, whose warmth and artistry elevate every moment, to partnering with the Vatican during such a momentous Jubilee year. Together, we’ve created a deeply human portrait of Saint Peter that feels both timeless and moving.”
“At Fremantle, we’re proud to bring this remarkable story to audiences worldwide,” added Mark Reynolds, head of global documentaries and factual at Fremantle. “The Life of St. Peter is a powerful exploration of faith, history and humanity—captured with rare access to one of the most sacred places on earth and illuminated by Benigni’s unique storytelling.”
The doc is also available as a three-parter.
