Overview Locarno2023: Beautiful summer about sexual awakening in Italy before World War II.

Director Laura Lucchetti presents her latest work "Beautiful Summer" (original title "La bella estate"), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Cesare Pavese from1949.

The film tells the story of Ginevra, a young working-class woman coming of age in pre-WWII Italy. Ginevra, played by Ilenia Pastorelli, is a shy country girl who dreams of exploring the world beyond her small town and ends up working as a seamstress in the bustling city of Turin. Amid the suffocating expectations of a society still bound by old-fashioned gender norms, she meets Amelia, a bohemian spark played by talented actress Deva Cassel.

Meeting Amelia and her circle of free-spirited artists turns Ginya's world upside down, pulling her into the depths of the city's decadent subculture where creativity and passion flourish recklessly. Ginya's life undergoes a transformation as she immerses herself in art. Bold and elusive, Amelia defies societal norms by posing nude, casting doubt on Ginya's previous notions of morality and femininity.

As Giniya gradually becomes captivated by Amelia's lifestyle, she begins to question her own identity and place in the world. The film highlights Giniya's journey of self-discovery as she wavers between the comfort of tradition and the allure of modernity. Her story is one of sexual awakening, intertwined with a growing sense of empowerment as she admires Amelia and seeks guidance from her. Giniya's transition from a shy girl to a confident woman is marked by her decision to embrace a life unburdened by the constraints of conservative upbringing.

Feeling overwhelmed by her perceived innocence, she strives to fit into the cheerful environment of the artists she considers her friends, yearning for a more fulfilling creative outlet beyond her daily work as a seamstress.

However, the film is distinguished by its focus not only on these aspects of growing up but also on broader themes of self-expression, freedom, and the importance of overcoming societal opinions. Amelia's influence on Ginny is undeniable, but the main focus is on Ginny's internal journey, filled with doubts, desires, and dilemmas, which takes center stage. The contrast between her rural roots and new urban experiences reflects the internal struggle between the past and the present, tradition and progress.

While Giniya navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and passion, she ultimately finds her own voice, learning to define herself by her own rules. "A Beautiful Summer" is a portrayal of the transformative power of youth, art, and self-discovery, fueled by the acceptance of life with all its contradictions and challenges. "A Beautiful Summer" intertwines the story of first love and first sex, two aspects that do not share the same object, as Giniya discovers that physical intimacy is tainted by false expectations and ultimately proves to be more disappointing than fulfilling due to its taboo status.

However, she finds more satisfaction in her sisterly bond with Amelia, which can go beyond friendship. Laura Luchetti does not emphasize the gay narrative but focuses on the female perception of the period and the transformational journey aimed at overcoming deeply rooted stereotypes in the pursuit of self-assertion and fulfillment, not dictated by society.

"A Beautiful Summer" is a slowly unfolding costume psychological drama that celebrates women's freedom, although Luchetti's approach is more rooted in the original source material, as the film resembles a literary adaptation, with several digressions concerning supporting characters whose roles are to expand the world and the inherent conventions surrounding Guinevere. The film was recently screened at the Locarno Film Festival.

Directors of "Beautiful Summer":

• Laura Luchetti

Writers:

• Laura Luchetti
• Cesare Pavese

In the cast:

• Yile Yara Vianello
• Virgo Cassel
• Nicolas Mopa