Before the Revolution

In 1962 Parma, Fabrizio, a young student, becomes increasingly interested in the Italian Communist Party and begins questioning his middle class roots. He engages in discussions with his friend Agostino about their differing social and ideological backgrounds, reflecting Fabrizio's growing political awareness.

Fabrizio's aunt Gina, from Milan, moves into the family home. She is only slightly older than Fabrizio and brings her own emotional and psychological complexities. Her arrival adds a new dynamic to the family environment.

Fabrizio is shocked to learn that his best friend Agostino has drowned in the Po River. Investigating the incident, he becomes convinced that Agostino's death was a suicide, driven by his hatred for his parents and possibly himself.

Fabrizio begins an affair with Gina, and they spend time reading philosophical works, reflecting on Italy's fascist past. Gina confesses she is in love with Fabrizio but remains emotionally distant and conflicted about their relationship.

Gina exhibits signs of increasing hysteria, engaging in nightly phone conversations with an unseen 'doctor'. She is plagued by anxieties and sleep difficulties, hinting at her emotional instability and possible manipulation.

Fabrizio encounters Gina leaving a hotel with a man after a brief sexual encounter. Feeling betrayed, he leaves angrily, signaling the deterioration of her relationship and his emotional state.

Gina later comforts Fabrizio, expressing her gladness that he remains unencumbered by marriage. Their complex relationship deepens, interweaving emotional attachment and ambiguity.

Gina meets with Puck, an old lover and friend, who laments his stagnant life and the changing times. The meeting underscores the themes of social decline and disillusionment among older generations.

Attending a communist rally, Fabrizio hints at his growing disillusionment with the party's ideology. This marks a turning point in his political journey, moving away from ideological fervor.

Fabrizio marries Clelia, maintaining his ties to the middle-class social milieu. The wedding symbolizes his return to traditional social expectations amidst his internal ideological conflict.

During the wedding celebration, Gina is seen repeatedly kissing Fabrizio's younger brother Antonio, indicating unresolved feelings and emotional complexities within the family ties.