Genova

The story unfolds in contemporary Genova, reflecting a modern, present-day setting. A college professor must balance teaching with single-parent duties and a renewed love life. The time period anchors the characters in current social dynamics rather than history.

Genova is a bustling port city on Italy's Ligurian coast. The film follows a family navigating crowded streets, old town alleys, and the nearby beaches that define daily life in this Mediterranean city. The setting provides a vivid backdrop for their adjustment to life abroad and the blending of American and Italian cultures.

💔 Grief

Mary is haunted by her mother’s death, a memory that shapes her actions and fears. The film explores how unresolved grief reverberates through family dynamics and affects trust and connection. Memories become a lens through which each character negotiates closeness and distance.

🏡 Family

Joe navigates single-parenting while pursuing personal relationships and professional duties. The narrative follows the adjustments a family makes when uprooted to a new city. Genova becomes both a fresh start and a challenge that tests their cohesion and resilience.

💘 Adolescence & Romance

Kelly’s secret romance with a local Italian boy tests boundaries and loyalty, highlighting the friction between teenage desires and family life. The film contrasts youthful longing with the more cautious, memory-informed world of Mary. It shows how adolescence unfolds within a cross-cultural setting.

🌍 Cross-Cultural Life

The Genova setting forces the family to navigate language, customs, and social expectations. Translation, adaptation, and cultural contrasts create both friction and growth. The city’s environment shapes how each character redefines belonging and identity.