Director - Paolo Virzi
Script - Paolo Virzi, Francesca Archibugi
Camera - Vladan Radovic
Music - Carlo Virzi
Cast - Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Micaela Ramazzotti, Valentina Carnelutti, Sergio Albelli, Tommaso Ragno, Anna Galiena, Marisa Borini, Marco Messeri, Bobo Rondelli
Producer - Marco Belardi
Production - Lotus Productions, Manny Films

Beatrice is a motor-mouthed fantasist, a self-styled billionaire countess who likes to believe she's on intimate terms with world leaders. Donatella is a tattooed introvert, a fragile young woman locked in her own mystery. They are both patients at the Villa Biondi, a progressive but secure psychiatric clinic. Paolo Virzi's new film tells the story of the unpredictable and moving friendship that develops between the two women as they flee the mental institution in search of love and happiness in the open-air nuthouse – the world of sane people.

We wanted it to be a fun and humane comedy, but also a story not afraid of dipping its toe into a fairytale, or even a psychedelic trip, without being whimsical. We also wanted to show the injustice, subjection and suffering of vulnerable people, of women who are stigmatised, ignored, condemned, or shut off. However, we did not want to turn the film into a pamphlet or a social exposure documentary - there are a few very good ones of those around already. If anything, we were looking for glimpses of joy, or at least happiness and pulsating excitement, even when they are constrained and confined. Is it alright to smile, or even laugh whilst telling a tale of suffering, or is this improper and outrageous? I hope it’s alright, because this is what I like to do when I make a film. In actual fact, it’s my main goal.

Paolo Virzi

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS -

Cannes '16 – Director's Fortnight Valladolid '16 – Golden Spike for Best Film, International Jury Award for Best Actress (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Micaela Ramazzotti), Audience award Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists '16 – Silver Ribbon for Best Actress (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Micaela Ramazzotti), Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Music; Nomination for Silver Ribbon for Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actress ( Valentina Carnelutti), Best Producer, Best Production Design