Filmtheater Fanfare | Vermiglio

1944. In Vermiglio, a mountain village high in the Italian Alps, the war casts its shadow over life, even though it is far away. The arrival of Pietro, a deserted Sicilian soldier, disrupts the dynamics of the otherwise quiet village, and especially those within the teacher's family. Lucia, the eldest of the family, is deeply attracted to the stranger. In four seasons, we see how the thick layer of snow melts, love blossoms and peace spreads across Italy. But while the rest of the world slowly breaks free from tragedy, the family faces its own tragedy. Director Maura Delpero drew on her own family history for Vermiglio, loosely modelling the village schoolteacher after her grandfather. Vermiglio is, in her words, a story about parents and children, life and death, great heights, walls of snow and the smell of warm milk on a frosty morning. And always that mountain that reminds its inhabitants every day how puny they are. Vermiglio was awarded the Silver Lion, the grand jury prize, at the Venice Film Festival. Screenings on Thursday 8 May and Monday 12 May at the Monday matinee.