Colombano & the 21st Slice weaves together multiple themes held together by a fantasy–comedy–detective storyline. A shady character, Lucifer, hires two petty criminals he knows to steal from the church museum an object that hides something unimaginable. Meanwhile, the guests at a dinner—famous historical figures beyond any suspicion, including Columbanus and his faithful Attala—let themselves be carried away by historical and non-historical reflections, while remaining grounded in the harsh reality of the suffering brought about by war. A dialogue between Jesus and Columbanus invites reflection on the spirit of humankind—blind, unwilling to see—and the scene in Piazza Duomo in Bobbio underscores this tendency to pretend not to notice the world’s suffering. Their thoughts are then interrupted by the theft of the mysterious object, and Columbanus and Attala set off in pursuit of the thieves, resolving the matter in a decidedly unconventional way. The ending is hopeful, with the villains’ repentance and thoughts about the future yet to come.

Paolo Pier Luigi Guglielmetti began his career as a photographer in 1980, gaining experience in industrial, advertising, reportage, and entertainment photography. From 1980 onward, he spent two years documenting major progressive rock and jazz concerts in Milan. Since 2012, he has been working as the producer and director of his popular series Fette di salame, with 33 episodes released to date and more planned through 2023. He also leads film workshops on mental health for middle school students. Guglielmetti has received more than 200 awards for his 15 short films and for works submitted to independent film festivals.