Vermiglio

I found "Vermiglio" a very beautiful, unusual and yet highly relevant movie. This is cinema at its best. The acting is excellent and the narrative is very well constructed, highly touching and superbly conducted. This is one of the best movies I saw in recent years. I found the language extremely beautiful and the photography just amazing. The story of the family is highly plausible and the references to the social reality of the Trentino during and after the Great War appear truthful and deserves to be looked at as an experiment in social analysis. The respect with which the religious dimension is treated deserves my highest praise. In other words, besides being poetic and truly beautiful, «Vermiglio» brings us back to a world that is about to disappear in Europe. As non-Italian, I am now ready to visit the real Vermiglio and once being there reflect on the effects of this wonderful movie. It deserves to be seen by anyone that loves real cinema, that searches for the understanding of the human condition and, most importantly, does not abdicate of the aesthetic dimension of life in the world of today. The music is excellent and the sound of the «Miserere» sounded in a moment of deep sorrow in the family was deeply touching for me. I congratulate all those who participated and contributed to this beautiful work of art.

"Vermiglio" portrays a year in the life of the Graziadei family in a small mountain village at the end of World War II. The film is shot in a strikingly realistic style, devoid of dramatization, embellishments, or background music. What makes it even more compelling is that the stories depicted are, in fact, drawn from the family memories of the director, Maura Delpero. We are transported into our past, which unfolds before our eyes with raw authenticity, beautifully captured through the film's stunning cinematography. Every frame feels like a timeless painting, rich in atmosphere and detail.

During the COVID period, I conducted some research on my family and came across stories that closely resemble those depicted in the film. It prompts deep reflection on the essence of our lives.

If we strip away the illusion of well-being we have built over the past hundred years-erasing the distractions and illusions we've created, dismantling the image we carefully craft on social media-we are left with the fundamental aspects of life: births, deaths, opportunities, regrets, and the few real choices we make in our fragile existence on this earth.

However, it must be noted that Vermiglio is not an easy film for everyone. Its necessarily slow pace and the near absence of dialogue demand patience and a willingness to fully immerse oneself in its quiet, contemplative storytelling.

"Vermiglio" powerfully reminds us of where we come from and, once we remove the layers of artifice, reveals who we truly are and where we are headed.

It's a family drama set from 1944 to 1946 in Vermiglio, a tiny remote Italian village in South Tyrol. It follows the poor Graziadei family headed by Cesare (Tommaso Ragno) and Adele (Robert Rovelli). Cesare is educated and the village's elementary school teacher. At the film's beginning, they have nine children. The four oldest have the most significant roles. Dino (Patrick Gardner) struggles with his father, who is disappointed in him. Lucia (Martina Scrinzi) is the oldest daughter, followed by Ada (Rachele Potrich) and Flavia (Anna Thaler). The younger boys are chatterboxes who help move the story along, but I couldn't remember them by name. Attilio (Santiago Fondevilla), a cousin, has come back from the war accompanied by a friend and deserter from Sicily, Pietro Riso (Giuseppe De Domenico). Pietro and Lucia fall in love and become married.

"Vermiglio" follows the events that unfold and reveal secrets about various family members, some of which have devastating consequences. The film does end with a hint of hope.

"Vermiglio" has spectacular cinematography that helps the viewer languish in the movie's slow pace. A family story unfolds at its own pace. We learn much from the children's nighttime chatter as they are all scrunched in three beds in a single bedroom. The thrust is family survival after a particular crisis. "Vermiiglio" is a very moving film with a believable well-told story.

VERMIGLIO (2024) Mauro Delpero's beautifully crafted drama about an Italian family during the waning days of WWII. They are a large (and still growing) family headed by a proud and vain schoolteacher Cesare (Tommaso Ragno) in their small village in the Alps. Pietro (Giuseppe De Domenico) a soft-spoken Sicilian soldier who has escaped the Germans at the front is hiding out in the Vermiglio township. He falls for the eldest daughter Lucia (Martina Scrinzi) . The romance momentarily is a ray of hope for the family even if they have their doubts about the wayward young man.

Delpero's script captures the trials and tribulations of the entire clan, including the children. The story is never rushed, yet never feels slow. Each individual is given respect by her writing and tender direction. Mikhail Krichman's burnished cinematography handsomely depicts their existence. The mountains give the exteriors a grandeur, but it's never merely picturesque. It's all part of the landscape for the villagers hardscrabble life during wartime.

VERMIGLIO shows that no matter how far away from the battlefield one may be, there are always repercussions both immediate and long-term. There is pain, secrets, loss and memory. As the movie eloquently states: Tears can be both a sign of sadness and sorrow - as well as hope and happiness.

As a fan of historical films, Vermiglio really stood out to me with its immersive take on the past. The movie does a remarkable job of transporting you to a different time, blending historical accuracy with an intriguing mystery. The setting and costumes feel authentic, adding a layer of depth that makes the world come alive in a way that's both captivating and thought-provoking.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, revealing its secrets bit by bit, and while it may be a bit slow at times, the performances keep you invested. The lead actor does an excellent job portraying a character caught between the weight of history and personal turmoil, and I found myself connecting with them on a deeper level.

The film offers a unique lens on history, not just as a backdrop but as a force that shapes the characters' actions and decisions. It's this combination of historical context and personal drama that makes Vermiglio an engaging watch for anyone who enjoys films that offer both a captivating story and a rich historical setting. Although it's not flawless, it's definitely a worthwhile experience that lingers long after the credits roll.