The film unfolds against the 1982 World Cup, centering on “Nino” (Gabriele Pizzurro), a young boy living in Sicily who faces regular bullying from the local villagers and is presumed to be gay. Nearby, “Gianni” (Samuele Segreto) assists his father with their fireworks business, which thrives due to the numerous religious festivals held on the island. Their paths cross after Nino has another argument with his stepfather, resulting in a close call while they’re riding mopeds along winding mountain roads. Following this encounter, Gianni helps him secure a job at his uncle “Pietro's” (Roberto Salemi) quarry. As their friendship develops, gossip spreads within the insular community and prejudice becomes apparent. Nino shares a strong bond with his mother "Carmela" (Fabrizia Sacchi), and it is her attempt to mediate between him and his friend’s family that escalates tensions in a community marked by bigotry and irrationality. The performances are notably touching, as director Giuseppe Fiorello lets the narrative progress into something somewhat foreseeable, but it's this sense of inevitability that makes the screenplay so impactful. It portrays a group of people who seem unconcerned with the well-being of two young men quietly developing feelings for one another. Sacchi also provides a thoughtful portrayal of a mother struggling to reconcile her idea of what’s best for her son with his own desires. The film exposes the narrowness of an island mindset—specifically, Sicily's—though it could easily represent many rural areas where religious beliefs and intolerance can make life difficult and even dangerous for gay people. The ending is noteworthy because it suggests a possibility of hope while also acknowledging that envy isn’t something to be celebrated. The cinematography effectively utilizes the location and natural light, and despite not being an easy film to watch, it allows Pizzurro and Segreto to bring considerable warmth and personality to characters who are hard to ignore.

Source on TMDB