Which 2018 Italian drama film, blending fable and magical realism, tells the story of the extraordinarily good-natured and guileless peasant Lazzaro, who remains untouched by time and human wickedness?

The 2018 Italian drama film described, blending fable and magical realism to tell the story of the extraordinarily good-natured peasant Lazzaro, is Happy as Lazzaro (Review) (original title "Lazzaro Felice"). Directed by Alice Rohrwacher, the film centers on Lazzaro, a young man living in an isolated, seemingly anachronistic tobacco farming community called Inviolata, where he is consistently taken advantage of due to his inherent innocence and willingness to help. This setting, with its feudal-like conditions, initially appears to be from a bygone era, though it is revealed to be a contemporary exploitation.

Rohrwacher masterfully uses magical realism to portray Lazzaro's journey. His saint-like purity is so profound that he remains untouched by the harsh realities and moral decay around him, even experiencing a miraculous event that transcends time. This narrative choice allows the film to explore themes of goodness, exploitation, and the timeless struggle between the innocent and the corrupt, offering a poignant social commentary on modern Italy through the lens of a folk tale. The film's unique blend of the fantastical with grounded social critique earned it widespread critical acclaim, including the Best Screenplay award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

"Happy as Lazzaro" is lauded for its poetic beauty and distinctive visual style, often shot on 16mm film, which enhances its ethereal and timeless quality. The character of Lazzaro, portrayed by Adriano Tardiolo, embodies a rare form of unwavering benevolence, making him a memorable figure in modern Italian cinema. The film serves as a compelling and thought-provoking parable about humanity's enduring capacity for both profound goodness and profound wickedness, exploring how such innocence navigates a world driven by greed and social disparity.