Ciao Alberto 2021

After receiving a letter from Luca Paguro, who is away at school in Genova with Giulia, Alberto Scorfano writes back about his life in Portorosso and his work at the town fishery with Giulia’s father, Massimo Marcovaldo. The message reveals a surprising turn: Alberto has been fully accepted by the townspeople and no longer hides his identity as a sea monster. Yet beneath the cheer of acceptance lies a growing tension, because Massimo barely speaks to him except to warn him against using their fishing boat without supervision. Alberto longs for Massimo’s approval and constantly frets about making a mistake that could cost him his place.

Alberto makes repeated attempts to win Massimo over, each one falling flat. When one effort ends with the loss of the day’s catch, he decides to sneak out at night and take the fishing boat to try for more fish. On his nocturnal excursion, he is startled by Machiavelli the cat, who had stowed away on board. In the scramble, Alberto drops his lantern, and the boat is set ablaze. They manage to escape just as Massimo charges down to survey the damage, a moment that underscored the fragility of Alberto’s position and the stakes of his pursuit.

Despondent, Alberto packs his belongings and leaves Portorosso. Massimo runs after him, and the young diver berates himself for his failures. In a turning moment, as Massimo reaches out to him, Alberto accidentally calls him “Dad,” a confession that catches them both off guard. Massimo opens up about a memory of his own father—how he once angered him enough to punch through a brick wall, and how they later rebuilt their relationship by repairing the damage together. This shared vulnerability forms a bridge between them, and the two offer each other a hopeful, unspoken apology.

The reconciliation quickly deepens into a renewed partnership. The next day, Massimo and Alberto return to the boat, working side-by-side as equal teammates. They trade stories from their lives, listen more closely to each other, and communicate with growing honesty. The bond that began with a struggling apprentice and a wary mentor now feels steadier, rooted in mutual respect and a clearer sense of responsibility. In Portorosso, the small acts of collaboration—mending the boat, learning from missteps, and choosing to support one another—mark a turning point that promises a brighter, more connected future for both of them.