PLOT : Winter 1944: The city of Pola, a crucial military stronghold in northeastern Italy’s Venezia Giulia and Istria region, is ravaged by relentless bombings. As war rages on, the people of Pola live in constant fear, yet for little Egea Haffner, life still holds a touch of magic. She finds comfort in the grand villa of her paternal grandparents, the Haffners, where she spends carefree days, and in the family’s jewelry shop in the bustling city center, where her father, Kurt, diligently tends to his craft. Despite the war, these familiar places offer her a sense of warmth and security, shielding her from the growing unrest around her. By the spring of 1945, the war comes to an end, but turmoil grips Istria as Marshal Tito’s forces, the “Titini,” seize control. Two soldiers arrive at the Haffner home one night, searching for Kurt. From that moment, he vanishes.
Gianluca Mazzella. 
is an Italian filmmaker and assistant director born in Rome. Mazzella has
worked extensively in the Italian film industry, with some credits including "Loose Cannons"
(2010), "A Magnificent Haunting" (2012), "The Ruthless" (2019), and the television series "The
Ignorant Angels" (2022), in which Mazzella directed eight episodes of and garnered attention for
its storytelling and production quality. Most recently, Mazzella directed the film "La Bambina
con la Valigia" (2025), a story about a little girl amid the bombing in Pola in 1944. Mazzella's
career reflects a dedication to Italian cinema, focusing on supporting directors in bringing their
visions to life.
Length 1h 42min
Year 2025
Cast
Claudia Vismara, Sara Lazzaro, Sandra Ceccarelli, Anita Kravos, Sinead Thornhill, Andrea Bosca, Petra Bevilacqua,
Distribution Rai Com
Production Clement, Rai Fiction
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Tue. July 15th07:00 PMIndoorCity PlayhouseVaughan
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Wed. July 16th08:15 PMOutdoorBirra Moretti Theatre, Distillery DistrictToronto
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Jul 4-Jul 14Online Platform
