Il ragazzo di campagna 1984

Artemio is a farmer in the Lombardy countryside who grows tired of his everyday routine and yearns for something different. On his 40th birthday, he decides to leave the familiar fields behind and move to Milan in search of a job and a new life among the bustling city lights.

There, he meets his cousin Severino, a man who seems set to guide him into the big city, but who turns out to be a trickster and purse snatcher. Realizing the illicit nature of Severino’s risky schemes, Artemio makes the choice to quit him and strike out on his own.

Soon, he crosses paths with a career-driven young woman named Angela, one of Severino’s former victims, and a spark of attraction ignites between them. The stark contrast between his country manners and her fast-paced, modern lifestyle leads to a string of comic misunderstandings. Yet these differences also form the foundation for a genuine friendship that grows as Artemio’s earnest, straightforward approach begins to win her respect.

Artemio’s search for steady work proves challenging, as his naivety and candor repeatedly complicate interviews and opportunities. The relationship with Angela, while bright at times, stalls when he discovers that she isn’t aiming for a conventional, long-term commitment because her career takes precedence.

Discouraged, Artemio decides to return to his hometown. Back there, he is welcomed by his longtime admirer, Maria Rosa, who has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. When Angela unexpectedly visits, Artemio makes a pivotal choice: he turns away from Angela and embraces the chance to nurture a future with Maria Rosa.