The Son's Room 2002

In the sun-kissed city of Ancona, Giovanni, a therapist, is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating event: his 17-year-old son Andrea’s tragic drowning while scuba diving. The investigation into the incident has yielded few answers, leaving Giovanni and his family to pick up the pieces. But just as they thought they had begun to heal, another layer of complexity is added to the already emotionally charged situation.

It starts with a mysterious love letter, penned by Arianna, a girl Andrea had met at camp but whose existence was unknown to the family until now. As Giovanni and his wife Paola come to terms with the fact that their son had a secret life, they begin to unravel the threads of his final days. The discovery of photographs Andrea sent to Arianna - some of which showcase his carefree spirit - serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of adolescence.

As the family navigates this unfamiliar terrain, Giovanni finds himself struggling to reconcile his professional detachment with the all-consuming grief that now defines him. His interactions with patients take on a newfound sense of urgency, as he grapples with the fragility of human life and the limitations of his own understanding.

The arrival of Arianna and her friend Stefano brings a modicum of comfort, even as it serves as a stark reminder of the family’s irreparable loss. As they embark on a journey to Menton, perched precariously on the border between Italy and France, Giovanni and his family are forced to confront the harsh realities of their new reality. And yet, even in the midst of sorrow, there is a glimmer of hope - a chance for them to forge a new path forward, together, as they wander along the beach into the unknown.