Monica Nappo

Writer-director Carolina Cavalli's darkly comic feature debut is a deliciously satirical character study of a twentysomething looking for purpose... and also a friend. It's Amanda's first summer back in Italy after studying in Paris, and it soon becomes clear that her peculiar and intense personality has rendered her friendless.

In late 1940s Italy, a mother makes the difficult decision to send her son to the north, where he catches glimpses of a new life away from poverty.