Welcome to POV .
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of
Wisconsin Public Television's Director's Cut .
For many of us who reside here in Wisconsin,
when you put the words happy next to winter ,
it becomes an oxymoron.
But these two words come together perfectly
to make the title of tonight's film.
Happy Winter takes us to Palermo, Sicily,
and more, specifically to beautiful Mondello Beach
where every year over one thousand cabins spring up
to accommodate hordes of people seeking the sun,
water and religious enlightenment.
For many of director Giovanni Totaro's characters,
these cramped beach huts are the perfect place to hide,
yearn for better days and forget about
a lingering financial crisis even if for just a short time.
One family in particular,
in order to “keep up with the Joneses” is willing to go
further into debt just to appear wealthy to others on holiday.
Three women spend their days tanning in order stay connected
to their youth and a politician combs the beach for votes.
Aside from seeking the sun, sand and status,
Totaro's ensemble looks forward to what is known as
the Ferragosto or the Assumption of Mary,
a public holiday in Italy on August 15
that celebrates the Virgin Mary's entrance into heaven.
Totaro transitions with some stunning visual imagery
and mesmerizing underwater photography as he follows
his characters who are actually very relatable.
I mean really, who doesn't want to recapture youth,
appear wealthy or win more votes than your opponent?
Happy Winter starts now on Wisconsin Public Television,
your home for independent film.