Vermiglio

The year is 1944 and the war is entering its final, brutal phase. Vermiglio is a remote mountain village, where all the young men have been sent out to fight. One winter’s day, one of them returns, badly injured. He has deserted and would never have been able to get back home without the help of the Sicilian Pietro, who has also run away from the army. As thanks, the villagers help hide the two in the barn of the local teacher.

It is not long before the teacher's daughter falls for the handsome, quiet young man. More people have noticed that those who return from the war have changed. They keep things to themselves, things they are unable to talk about. One of these secrets proves to be impossible to keep hidden. Vermiglio is a low-key family drama, with beautiful cinematography and strong acting performances. We get to see the many facets of the harsh, impoverished life in the countryside and gain a good understanding of the impossible choices the people here have had to make to survive.