What It’s About
In the Alpine village of Vermiglio early in 1945, World War 2 seems a long way away. We meet the large Graziadei family, whose highly respected father Cesare (Ragno) serves as schoolmaster for the whole area. Though the surroundings are gorgeous, the family leads a spartan existence, living off the land and with several bodies in each bed. Pietro (De Domenico), a shell-shocked Sicilian deserter, arrives and is soon courting Cesare’s daughter Lucia (Scrinzi). Will their love affair end well?
Why We Love It
Director Delpero romances her native Alps in this touching, atmospheric period drama. Amidst dramatic shots of mountain vistas, you can almost smell the fresh, bracingly cold air. The film is largely observational, recreating the rhythms of life in this stunning but remote spot, whose hardy inhabitants are too focused on their chores to do much talking. The arrival of Pietro stirs up a whiff of mystery and excitement, and Lucia plunges into first love impulsively. A vivid evocation of a bygone time and place, “Vermiglio” won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It’s a beautiful, bittersweet watch.