“Everything in L’IMMENSITA is beautiful even when everything wasn’t: Crialese’s odd, affecting memory piece layers the world as it was, is and could be in the same gilded frame.” - Guy Lodge, Variety

“A story of quiet desperation and secret yearning in the hearts of teens and the middle-aged alike” - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

Saturday, March 25, 1:30pm | In 1970s Rome, Clara (a resplendent Penelope Cruz) and her husband Felice move into a new apartment with their three children. Their marriage is loveless, and though Felice is unfaithful and abusive, they stay together, with Clara finding joy in her children, who she loves and cares for fervently. Her eldest, Adriana (remarkable newcomer Luana Giuliani), is on the verge of adolescence and questioning their gender identity, causing further friction in the traditional household. But Clara understands what it feels like to be misunderstood and unfulfilled, and trans filmmaker Emanuele Crialese uses the relationship between mother and child to craft a vibrant memory piece – a tender coming-of-age drama based heavily on his own life experience – that premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and comes to CEUFF directly following its North American Sundance premiere.


Awards & Nominations

Official Selection - Venice Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival


Chicago European Union Film Festival: A celebration of emerging voices and a showcase of provocative perspectives from across the European Union. We welcome you to country hop with us all March long. Regardless of the country of origin, every film in the 26th Chicago European Union Film Festival has been chosen for you, our Chicago audience. We invite you to see the world on our screens. View full festival here.


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