My Mother's Smile 2005

In this whimsical and surreal journey, Ernesto Picciafuoco (proud painter and illustrator of children’s tales) finds himself entangled in a web of absurd events as his family’s impoverished status becomes a pressing concern. The late mother, an exemplar of genuine devotion, is the only beacon of religiosity amidst the family’s vacuity. Two middle-aged rebels, once fervent opponents of religious hypocrisy, now feign piety to secure their livelihoods. Ernesto, however, remains torn by moral uncertainty, his doubts exacerbated by the prospect of his young son learning to mimic the very hypocrisy he seeks to avoid.

The enigmatic cardinal, shrouded in mystery, summons Ernesto for an inquiry into the sanctification process of his mother, a revelation that leaves him bewildered. As Ernesto navigates this topsy-turvy world, he encounters a winsome “religious teacher” at school, whose charms only serve to underscore the impossibility of their relationship.

The protagonist’s journey is punctuated by surreal episodes: a hasty discussion with a zealous investigator probing his son’s non-baptism; an ill-fated duel, interrupted after mere moments, born from a noble dream of monarchic restoration; and a conversation with his aunt, whose opportunistic attempt to steer Ernesto onto the “right path” is motivated by the promise of financial gain and familial prestige.

Meanwhile, Ernesto’s wife administers an unconventional baptism to their sleeping child, driven by anxiety to rectify past oversights. As Ernesto’s aunt smirks covetously, awaiting a private audience with His Holiness and their family allies, Ernesto chooses instead to accompany his child to school, forging a path that diverges from the rest of his family’s Machiavellian machinations.