Nuovo Olimpo

Rome in 1978, during the Years of Lead. Pietro, a medical student, and Enea, a film student, meet at a cinema called the Nuovo Olimpo. Something begins between them, and they lose each other during street unrest. Ten years on Enea is a known director and Pietro a married ophthalmologist. Nearly forty years later Enea turns up as Pietro's patient after an accident at work. They recognise what is between them and do not go back to it; they promise not to forget each other and part. Ferzan Ozpetek wrote and directed. Damiano Gavino plays Enea and Andrea Di Luigi plays Pietro, with Luisa Ranieri, Greta Scarano and Aurora Giovinazzo in the cast. The starting point is personal. Ozpetek has said the film begins from a true story that happened to him. Shooting began in November 2022 and took place entirely in Rome. It premiered at the Rome Film Festival on 22 October 2023 and went to Netflix on 1 November 2023. Critics praised the cinematography, while some found the narrative meandering. It was nominated for Outstanding Film at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards. Who it is for: viewers who like Ozpetek's nostalgia and stories about the life not lived. Who it is not for: anyone waiting for a reunion. The film withholds it deliberately, and some viewers come away feeling short-changed.