Avemmaria

A heavy, slow-burning immersion into poverty and violence, where a child's imagination flickers against a crushing reality.

Directed by

Fortunato Cerlino

Genres

Drama, Crime

Starring

Salvatore Esposito, Marianna Fontana, Mario Di Leva

Overview

Felice lives in two dark rooms of a crumbling building with his father Raffaele, recently laid off, his mother Antonietta, too young and worn down by grief, his grandmother Filomena, always dressed in black and filled with resentment, and three brothers, with another on the way. In that world of poverty and violence, a boy like him can either be crushed or cling to his dreams. His imagination is his refuge, but in Pianura there's no room for fantasy - being poor and a dreamer is a fault. Yet his teacher, Giulia, recognizes his singing talent and tries to offer him new horizons. When Felice sees Neil Armstrong's footprint in his textbook, he realizes he too might leave Pianura and reach the moon.

How it feels

Bleak, melancholic, tense and earnest. Slow-burning and needs your attention.

About

Politics, family, grief, isolation

Content

Strong violence and language. Mild gore and sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)