Vermiglio – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

Vermiglio, a breathtaking family saga and one of the standout events of recent Italian cinema, has won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and six David di Donatello awards, Italy’s answer to the Oscars. Directed by Maura Delpero, who draws deeply from her own family history, the film weaves an intimate yet universal story of love, betrayal, resilience, and hope. Set amidst the starkly beautiful landscapes of the Italian Alps, it transports audiences to 1944, revealing the life of a close-knit community under the shadow of history.

As the final months of World War II unfold, a young soldier deserts the army and seeks refuge in the mountain village of Vermiglio. His arrival sparks a passionate romance with the eldest daughter of the local schoolteacher. This forbidden love becomes a catalyst for transformation, exposing hidden emotions, secrets, and long-simmering conflicts within the family and the community.

Vermiglio is cinematic poetry, a story where snow, costumes, and painstakingly recreated details of harsh Alpine life conceal a vivid, compelling, and profoundly moving tale about how distant events shape the lives we lead today. With richly drawn characters, stunning cinematography that captures the majestic Alps, and a subtle, lyrical narrative, Delpero delivers a film that resonates long after the credits roll. Chopin’s nocturnes and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons underscore the rhythm of the changing seasons and the human heart alike, guiding audiences through an emotional journey that explores the choices we make and their enduring impact on our lives.