Francesco Giulio Cerilli

The story of the young Franco Battiato’s journey, from Sicily to his arrival in Milan, exploring the encounters and pivotal moments along the path to success, right up to his return to his beloved Sicily. The account of an inner journey in which the artist’s nature, already inclined towards spirituality, evolves into a more conscious quest.

It’s 1965 and Lia, a spirited young woman living in a small Sicilian town, is initially attracted to Lorenzo, the son of the most prominent (and possibly Mafia-tied) local family. His possessiveness eventually repels her. But soon after, he appears with his cronies to kidnap, rape and force her into a shotgun marriage, all with the collusion of the town’s authorities. Lia and her family refuse to accept this barbaric ‘tradition’ and, despite the constant intimidation and violence, they take their fight for Lia’s rights to court.

In 2021, an 11-year-old boy named Mattia Piccoli was named Standard-bearer of the Republic by President Sergio Mattarella for "the love and care with which he daily follows his father's illness." This film tells his story and that of his father, Paolo, who, in his early forties, slowly begins to lose pieces of his memory. But just as the world begins to fade, he chooses to stay close to what truly matters, strengthened also by the love of his wife Michela. Together with his son, he embarks on a journey of shared daily life, sudden laughter, and silences that speak.

The daring story of two friends, with a common musical past and a future to be written.

New film by Luca Barbareschi.

Amid the unification of 1860s Italy, a Sicilian prince grapples with the collision between his family's ancient privilege and revolutionary change.