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Romantic drama

Genova (2008): Cast & Plot

Genova (2008) movie poster

Genova is a 2008 romantic drama directed by Michael Winterbottom, starring Colin Firth as Joe, Willa Holland and Perla Haney-Jardine. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.

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Genova (2008) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Genres
Romance , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Genova About?

The premise of Genova without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A grieving father takes his two daughters to Genoa after their mother is killed in a car crash, hoping the change of scenery will restore their spirits. The historic city reshapes each of them: the youngest begins to see her mother’s ghost, while the older girl confronts her emerging sexuality, prompting both healing and self‑discovery.

Genova Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • guilt
  • imaginary person
  • mourning
  • guilt complex
  • cruelty
  • car
  • survivor's guilt
  • crying child
  • summer the season
  • killed in a car accident
  • icy road
  • beach
+38 more
  • piano lesson
  • sexual awakening
  • italy
  • ghost
  • tween girl
  • new country
  • crossing a street
  • teenage girl wears underwear
  • college professor
  • vomiting
  • bikini
  • teenage girl
  • little girl
  • singing in a car
  • teen drinking
  • teen drug use
  • cocktail
  • vespa
  • motorcycle helmet
  • shopping
  • hand over eyes
  • new school
  • snow
  • covering eyes
  • reception
  • funeral
  • old man
  • lighting a candle
  • candle
  • trail
  • kiss
  • vision
  • train ride
  • train station
  • cigarette smoking
  • marijuana
  • older man younger woman relationship
  • old friend
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Cast & crew

Genova Cast & Characters

Colin Firth leads the cast as Joe, with Willa Holland as Kelly and Perla Haney-Jardine as Mary. Directed by Michael Winterbottom; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Genova

· 6 more
From the director

More from Michael Winterbottom

More films directed by Michael Winterbottom, best-rated first: 24 Hour Party People, The Trip to Greece, The Trip to Spain and The Trip.

Full filmography
Plot

Genova Plot Summary

What happens in Genova from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Following the death of his wife in a car accident, Joe Colin Firth relocates to Genova to teach English literature at a university. He is joined by his two daughters, 16-year-old Kelly Willa Holland and 10-year-old Mary Perla Haney-Jardine, and the trio settles into a crowded flat on Genova’s busy streets. They quickly adjust to the local pace of life, savoring sun-drenched beach days and hiring a local tutor to help with musical composition, a hobby that Mary, in particular, seems to approach with quiet curiosity.

Full summary

The whole story of Genova, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Genova?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What profession does the father, Joe, have before moving to Italy?

Cars

Cars in Genova

47 cars on screen, including the 2004 Citroën C3 Pluriel and the 1999 Fiat Panda.

All 47 cars
  • 2004 Citroën C3 Pluriel in Genova 2004 Citroën C3 Pluriel Important role
  • 1999 Fiat Panda in Genova 1999 Fiat Panda Important role
  • 1998 Gilera Runner in Genova 1998 Gilera Runner Important role
  • Piaggio Vespa in Genova Piaggio Vespa Important role
Details

Genova Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Genoa” and “Neustart in Genua”.

Also known as
  • Genoa
  • Neustart in Genua
  • A Summer in Genoa
  • Genova - Un luogo per ricominciare
  • Генуя
  • Un été italien
  • Génova
  • 情留热那亚
  • Spálené mosty
  • ג'נובה
  • Cenova
  • Генуа
+3 more
  • 제노바
  • Genua. Włoskie lato
  • 情留熱那亞

Seen Genova?

FAQ

Genova FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Genova, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Genova?

Genova runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Genova released?

Genova was released on September 7, 2008.

Who directed Genova?

Genova was directed by Michael Winterbottom.

More films by Michael Winterbottom

Who is in the cast of Genova?

Genova stars Colin Firth as Joe, Willa Holland as Kelly and Perla Haney-Jardine as Mary, among 10 credited actors.

Does Genova have a post-credit scene?

No. Genova has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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