The Beautiful Summer

Set in Turin in 1938, as fascist Italy moves toward the Second World War, The Beautiful Summer follows Ginia, a young woman who has left the countryside for the city, where she works as a seamstress. Restless and eager for experience, she is drawn into a bohemian circle of painters and models after meeting Amelia, a sensual and self-assured model only slightly older than herself. Amelia introduces her to a world of artists and unfamiliar freedoms, and Ginia finds herself caught between the conventions she was raised with and desires she struggles to name. The film takes its title from the season that reshapes her.

Laura Luchetti directed and wrote the screenplay, working from Cesare Pavese's novel. It is her third feature, following her earlier two films, and it stars Yle Vianello as Ginia opposite Deva Cassel as Amelia, with Nicolas Maupas, Alessandro Piavani, Adrien Dewitte and Cosima Centurioni in supporting roles.

Released in August 2023 and running 111 minutes, the Italian production received a modest reception: on IMDb it holds 5.5 out of 10 from 774 votes, and on TMDB it also stands at 5.5 from 71 votes, indicating similarly limited enthusiasm from the audiences who have seen it.