Overview

The annual Palio bareback horse race, set in the central plaza of Siena, Italy, dates back to the Middle Ages and lasts a scant 80 seconds, conferring glory on the winner and ignominy on the losers. Documentarian John Appel captures all the drama, action and anguish that accompany this fiercely upheld tradition, focusing specifically on the district of Civetta, which, embarrassingly, hasn't won the race in 23 years.