The Cyclone

The Cyclone

Year: 1996

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Italian

RomanceComedy

When five striking Spanish flamenco dancers arrive unexpectedly in a tranquil Tuscan village, the routine of accountant Levante, his family, and the local residents is turned upside down, as their passionate music and vibrant presence stir both hearts and daily life.

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The Cyclone (1996) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Cyclone (1996), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Levante Quarini, Leonardo Pieraccioni, is a young accountant living a routine life with unhappy relationships with women. He shares a quiet, sunbaked home in Tuscany with his father Osvaldo, [Sergio Forconi], his brother Libero, [Massimo Ceccherini], and his lesbian sister Selvaggia, [Barbara Enrichi], in a remote residence surrounded by endless cornfields. Their only friend is his grandfather Gino, [Mario Monicelli], who communicates by shouting from his window. They’re far from major roads and the signs are scarce, but the locals know the dirt tracks well, giving their world a stubborn, almost timeless rhythm.

One ordinary evening, a sign pointing toward a nearby agritourism tumbles down, and a bus full of flamenco dancers en route to a recital gets hopelessly lost. With no one to claim them, the group has no choice but to spend the night at the Quarini home. As the visitors settle in, Levante’s gaze fixates on Caterina, [Lorena Forteza], the charismatic lead dancer, who is stuck in a turbulent relationship with her boyfriend Alejandro, [Alessio Caruso]. At the same time, Selvaggia begins a dalliance with another dancer, Penelope, [Natalia Estrada], adding tension to an already complicated mix of loyalties and desire.

The flamenco troupe must return to Spain when the tour is canceled, leaving behind a night that will change Levante’s life. During a farewell dinner in Florence, chaos erupts: Levante’s guest Carlina, [Tosca D’Aquino], gets drunk and embarrassing, while Selvaggia’s employer and on‑again, off‑again love Isabella, [Benedetta Mazzini], becomes a point of rivalry in the room. Back at the hotel, Caterina and Alejandro fight and break up, so Levante leads Caterina on a moonlit stroll through the city. They acknowledge a growing mutual attraction and share a kiss, but the morning finds Caterina compelled to leave Italy, despite Levante’s pleas to stay.

A year passes, and Levante makes a bold move to Spain to be with Caterina. The couple welcomes a son named Gino, in honor of Levante’s grandfather, who had passed away in the interim, marking a new chapter that grew from the summer they first crossed paths in a Tuscan countryside. The film threads humor, longing, and the unexpected way lives can align when chance interruptions become life-defining moments.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:22

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The Cyclone Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Cyclone

The Cyclone Spoiler-Free Summary

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