In making Umberto Eco – A Library of the World, Davide Ferrario had a choice. He may make a conventional biographical documentary about the great Italian bibiliophile and essayist. There is be some biographical information in 80 minutes short. The film, in its own way, reminds us of the man’s brilliant mind. It sometimes shows that mind through the occassional archive footage of his public appearances and mostly, through actors doing dramatic, respectful renditions of his essays. These essays and talks touch on fiction versus truth. Of men during the Baroque Era like Athaniasius Kircher who wrote travelogues of places they’ve never been. These readings also remind viewers of Eco’s writings about the speculations aboout Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare. It tackles all of this while showing us great libraries, and accompanying those visuals is Carl Orff’s playful score.

Hearing his words from his own mouth and other show his love for books, but these topics make me realize that fake news is not a recent phenomenon. In tackling Baroque era fake news, Umberto Eco – A Library of the World is good, stimulating work. Most viewers probably expect great old men to poo poo the internet. But in a way he sees the similarities between people then and now. We process information in suprisingly similar ways. Actor Niccolo Ferraro recites a few sentences from Eco’s Endings and Beginnings, where he talks about only seeing the first half of plays. He then meets a former theatre usher who only sees the endings. There’s always something inherently endearing about hearing stories about how many great men were once poor. But after that sentimental reaction, it reminds me of how people watch movies in parts.

Or, how some of us – I’m guilty of this – are on our phones while watching movies or even talking to our families. Not everyone gets the full picture, and if we do, we get fiction. Although as Library captures Eco’s talks, it sometimes overemphasizes the man’s wit. But in fairness, that feels like a weird complaint as I write my second nitpick about library not being enough of a thesis documentary. Besides, it’s a good entry level documentary for people who know little of the man. As the film gets into is book which he calls The Book of Legendary Lands, it circles back into the way it tackles, as I call it, Baroque era fake news because human beings like fantasy. Eco points out fantasy’s pros and cons, but he justifies their place in libraries next to ‘important’ books.

Watch Umberto Eco – A Library of the World at the Hot Docs Theatre.