Volare

A road film that goes from Italy into Slovenia and Croatia. Vincent is sixteen and autistic. He was raised by his mother Elena and her husband Mario; Mario adopted him and has handled his daily care for years. One day Vincent's biological father turns up. He is a singer; he plays small venues, lives without order and has been absent for years. Vincent gets into his tour van without being seen. The man notices on the road and, rather than take him back, carries on. Through the journey the two do not know each other and do not try to; they are simply in the same vehicle. Vincent's habits, his order and his reactions break up the man's whole way of living. At the same time Elena and Mario set off after them, and the film opens a second line: the anxiety of the man who has done the caring for years against the lightness of the one who appeared late. It is loosely inspired by Fulvio Ervas's book, which tells of a long motorcycle journey by a real father and son. Claudio Santamaria, Valeria Golino and Diego Abatantuono are in the cast. Gabriele Salvatores directed. The film was shown out of competition at the 76th Venice Film Festival. A good choice for anyone who likes road films and family drama. For a viewer expecting an emotional close, the film offers no easy reconciliation.