Ornella Muti leaves Tony Musante and he spirals — Italian masculinity crumbles in real time.
Paolo has been reasonably happy for the past 10 years; he has a job at the university and has Sena as a lover all these years. When she suddenly decides to leave the relationship, it comes as a shock to him, and he desperately wants to know the reason.
Acting
Ornella Muti's exit — devastatingly cool, barely explains herself.
Direction
Salerno's claustrophobic framing traps you in Paolo's unraveling psyche.
Cinematography
Muted 70s palette that screams 'emotional winter'.
Director
Enrico Maria Salerno
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Salerno was primarily known as an actor; this was one of his rare directorial efforts, and he cast his own daughter Laura Trotter as Paolo's brief rebound.
Released during Italy's divorce referendum era, the film captures a society panicking about women's newfound ability to actually leave.
IT
