DIRECTOR: Maura Delpero
STARRING: Tommaso Ragno, Martina Scrinzi, Giuseppe De Domenico
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 59 minutes
LANGUAGE: Italian
In 1944, the remote mountain village of Vermiglio becomes the backdrop for a transformative encounter. Pietro, a deserter seeking refuge, finds shelter with the family of the village's teacher. His arrival, and the forbidden love that blossoms between him and the teacher's eldest daughter, sets in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter their lives.
***
Vermiglio is the second feature film from Maura Delpero. Delpero previously distinguished herself with her debut fiction Maternal. The film made its worldwide debut at the Venice Film Festival, winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. The film has since screened in Toronto, São Paulo, London, Chicago and the Hamptons International Film Festivals. Sideshow and Janus Films scooped up North American rights to the film in the wake of its Venice win.
The film was selected from 19 submissions which also included Venice 2024 titles, Gianni Amelio's Battleground and Francesca Comencini’s The Time It Takes, as well as Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope, which premiered in Competition in Cannes. The selection committee consisted of Pedro Armocida, Maria Rita Barbera, Cristina Battocletti, Giorgia Farina, Francesca Manieri, Guglielmo Marchetti, Paola Mencuccini, Giacomo Scarpelli, Giulia Louise Steigerwalt, Alessandro Usai and Cecilia Zanuso.
The film is produced by Cinedora with Rai Cinema in co-production with France’s Charades Productions and Belgium’s Versus Production. Charades is handling international sales.
Vermiglio is a drama and it was filmed in Vermiglio, Italy.
To check out all previous submissions for Italy, click HERE.
STARRING: Tommaso Ragno, Martina Scrinzi, Giuseppe De Domenico
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 59 minutes
LANGUAGE: Italian
In 1944, the remote mountain village of Vermiglio becomes the backdrop for a transformative encounter. Pietro, a deserter seeking refuge, finds shelter with the family of the village's teacher. His arrival, and the forbidden love that blossoms between him and the teacher's eldest daughter, sets in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter their lives.
***
Vermiglio is the second feature film from Maura Delpero. Delpero previously distinguished herself with her debut fiction Maternal. The film made its worldwide debut at the Venice Film Festival, winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. The film has since screened in Toronto, São Paulo, London, Chicago and the Hamptons International Film Festivals. Sideshow and Janus Films scooped up North American rights to the film in the wake of its Venice win.
The film was selected from 19 submissions which also included Venice 2024 titles, Gianni Amelio's Battleground and Francesca Comencini’s The Time It Takes, as well as Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope, which premiered in Competition in Cannes. The selection committee consisted of Pedro Armocida, Maria Rita Barbera, Cristina Battocletti, Giorgia Farina, Francesca Manieri, Guglielmo Marchetti, Paola Mencuccini, Giacomo Scarpelli, Giulia Louise Steigerwalt, Alessandro Usai and Cecilia Zanuso.
The film is produced by Cinedora with Rai Cinema in co-production with France’s Charades Productions and Belgium’s Versus Production. Charades is handling international sales.
Vermiglio is a drama and it was filmed in Vermiglio, Italy.
To check out all previous submissions for Italy, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
"It's as if you are yourself, but not really anymore."
Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero, is a masterful exploration of family, tradition, and resilience set against the backdrop of rural Italy during World War II. The film’s intimate narrative is grounded in Delpero’s personal connection to the titular village, creating an authentic portrayal of life in a small mountain community. Through its focus on the Graziadei family, Vermiglio captures the essence of a time when war and modernity disrupted the rhythms of rural life. The film’s atmospheric beauty and emotional resonance make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
One of Vermiglio's standout qualities is its visual storytelling, shaped by Delpero’s use of archival photographs and personal memories. The landscapes of Trentino serve not only as a setting but as a living, breathing character, reflecting the harshness and beauty of mountain life. The cinematography’s meticulous framing and interplay of light and shadow evoke a timeless quality, drawing the audience into the family’s struggles and triumphs. Each scene feels like a painting, rich in texture and emotion.
The film excels in its character development, particularly through Lucia, the eldest daughter, who becomes the emotional anchor of the story. Her complex relationship with Pietro, a Sicilian deserter, embodies the tension between tradition and change. Lucia’s journey is a poignant metaphor for post-war transformation, both for her family and the broader society. Delpero’s nuanced direction allows these themes to unfold naturally, making the characters’ inner lives deeply relatable and their arcs profoundly affecting.
Another strength of Vermiglio lies in its universal themes. While deeply rooted in Italian history, the film transcends its specific context to address broader questions of identity, resilience, and the impact of societal change on individuals. The juxtaposition of rural traditions with the inevitability of modernity resonates across cultures, making Vermiglio a universally appealing story. Delpero’s sensitive handling of these themes ensures they are both poignant and thought-provoking.
In its exploration of love, loss, and survival, Vermiglio stands as a triumph of Italian cinema. Delpero’s deeply personal connection to the story infuses it with authenticity and heart, while its lush visuals and powerful performances elevate it to cinematic art. As Italy’s official submission for the 2025 Oscars, the film is a shining example of how historical narratives can illuminate timeless truths, cementing Vermiglio’s place as a modern masterpiece.
(This review contains spoilers.)
"It's as if you are yourself, but not really anymore."
Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero, is a masterful exploration of family, tradition, and resilience set against the backdrop of rural Italy during World War II. The film’s intimate narrative is grounded in Delpero’s personal connection to the titular village, creating an authentic portrayal of life in a small mountain community. Through its focus on the Graziadei family, Vermiglio captures the essence of a time when war and modernity disrupted the rhythms of rural life. The film’s atmospheric beauty and emotional resonance make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
One of Vermiglio's standout qualities is its visual storytelling, shaped by Delpero’s use of archival photographs and personal memories. The landscapes of Trentino serve not only as a setting but as a living, breathing character, reflecting the harshness and beauty of mountain life. The cinematography’s meticulous framing and interplay of light and shadow evoke a timeless quality, drawing the audience into the family’s struggles and triumphs. Each scene feels like a painting, rich in texture and emotion.
The film excels in its character development, particularly through Lucia, the eldest daughter, who becomes the emotional anchor of the story. Her complex relationship with Pietro, a Sicilian deserter, embodies the tension between tradition and change. Lucia’s journey is a poignant metaphor for post-war transformation, both for her family and the broader society. Delpero’s nuanced direction allows these themes to unfold naturally, making the characters’ inner lives deeply relatable and their arcs profoundly affecting.
Another strength of Vermiglio lies in its universal themes. While deeply rooted in Italian history, the film transcends its specific context to address broader questions of identity, resilience, and the impact of societal change on individuals. The juxtaposition of rural traditions with the inevitability of modernity resonates across cultures, making Vermiglio a universally appealing story. Delpero’s sensitive handling of these themes ensures they are both poignant and thought-provoking.
In its exploration of love, loss, and survival, Vermiglio stands as a triumph of Italian cinema. Delpero’s deeply personal connection to the story infuses it with authenticity and heart, while its lush visuals and powerful performances elevate it to cinematic art. As Italy’s official submission for the 2025 Oscars, the film is a shining example of how historical narratives can illuminate timeless truths, cementing Vermiglio’s place as a modern masterpiece.
