A Soul Split in Two

Milan, a major Italian economic hub known for fashion and commerce, frames the story’s opening in a dense urban setting centered on a department store. The action then shifts to Ancona, a coastal city with hotels and a port, where the couple attempts to start anew away from Milan’s watchful eyes. The cityscapes mirror the tension between bourgeois normalcy and marginalized communities.

💔 Love Prejudice

Pietro and Pabe’s romance crosses ethnic and social boundaries, testing loyalty and the comforts of bourgeois life. The relationship exposes how public opinion and personal history shape private decisions. Their bond becomes both lifeline and risk, drawing them into a world where safety is uncertain and judgment is constant.

🧭 Identity Marginalization

Roma identity and the stigma of theft and desertion are central to the drama. The couple’s life unfolds under a society quick to label and punish outsiders, especially a Roma woman. The narrative exposes how ethnicity, class, and gender intersect to create vulnerability. The characters negotiate belonging in a world that refuses to see nuance.

🛣️ Escape Obligation

Pietro’s flight with Pabe is both an act of escape and a retreat from duty. The road, hotels, and temporary shelters symbolize precarious freedom rather than salvation. Relationships are tested by secrecy and the pressure of social scrutiny. The ending underscores the fragility of escape when the past and public judgment reappear.

🤝 Family Loyalty

Pietro’s willingness to disrupt his old life for a woman he loves redefines family as chosen over blood. The ex-father-in-law’s care and eventual death anchor a complex loyalty that transcends conventional ties. The film questions who deserves protection and what constitutes family when social norms condemn the couple. Loyalty becomes a moral test as circumstances push them toward isolation.