Vermiglio 2024

The ending of “Vermiglio” reveals a poignant picture of the characters’ lives shaped by societal expectations and personal sacrifices. Ada, who once struggled with her desires and felt misunderstood, chooses to become a nun, seeking the safety and authority that her faith can provide. This decision might also be a way for her to hide her true self and avoid confronting her feelings or the shame associated with her sexuality. Her quiet moment of smoking a cigarette in her room symbolizes her brief rebellion but also her acceptance of her place in a life she believes she cannot escape. Throughout the film, Ada’s journey underscores her internal conflict between desire and the constraints placed upon her by her environment.

Meanwhile, Lucia’s fate is marked by heartbreak and betrayal. Her marriage to Pietro, initially seen as a hopeful new beginning, is destroyed when she learns he was already married and had kept that a secret. Pietro’s death—murdered by his wife Anna in a fit of rage—leaves Lucia devastated and pregnant with their child, whom she now considers a curse. Her journey reflects the harsh reality faced by women who are powerless in the face of societal pressures and personal loss, forcing her into a life of hardship as a single mother. Lucia’s decision to leave her infant at the convent and seek closure by visiting Pietro’s grave signifies her attempt to reconcile with her grief and the brutal truths of her life.

In the broader picture, the film ends with the three sisters parting ways—Ada in her religious life, Lucia surviving her trauma as a single mother, and Flavia beginning her own journey with hopes of education and independence. The family’s cycle continues with Adele pregnant again, highlighting the ongoing repetition of their traditional lifestyle. The ending offers a somber yet realistic commentary on the constraints of their world—each character’s choice is shaped by their circumstances, and their emotional landscapes remain marked by loss, secret desires, and the pursuit of some form of freedom within their limited options. Ultimately, the film leaves us with a sense of resignation but also a quiet acknowledgment of the resilience and complexity of these women’s lives.

In the lofty reaches of the Italian Alps, a remote Trentino village awakens under the soft, natural light that paints every stone and pine with a painterly grace. The landscape shifts from stark winter whiteness to the tentative greens of early spring, mirroring the quiet cycles of a community that has learned to survive and find beauty in the most rugged of settings. The film’s tone is contemplative, letting the mountains breathe as characters breathe with them.

At the heart of this world is a modest farmhouse where Attilio and his brother‑in‑arms, Pietro, have taken shelter after the chaos of war. The house belongs to Attilio’s uncle, Cesare, a stern schoolmaster who runs the village’s one‑room school, and his wife, Adele, who keeps the household together despite the strain of feeding a large brood. Their children, nine in total, embody both the fragility and the stubborn hope of a family that has already known loss.

The eldest daughter, Lucia, carries the weight of her family’s expectations while her heart is drawn to Pietro, a newcomer whose Sicilian roots add a layer of cultural tension to their budding affection. Their relationship unfolds under the watchful eye of Zia Cesira, a cautious aunt who balances tradition, faith, and the often‑unspoken rules that govern village life. Siblings such as the quietly supportive Dino linger in the background, each contributing to the intricate tapestry of loyalty and longing that defines the household.

Beyond the walls of the school and the farmhouse, the community moves to the rhythm of Catholic rites, seasonal labors, and the lingering presence of a war that has not yet fully released its grip. Yet the promise of spring—brightening the snow‑capped peaks and softening the air—offers a quiet redemption, hinting at renewal for those who remain rooted in this spectacularly austere corner of Italy.