Co-writer Marco Borromei and co-writer/director Irene Dionisio‘s Idda sees two friends, Adele (Tecla Insolia) and Sofia (Romana Maggiora Vergano), come together to realize their shared childhood dream of climbing to the top of Mt. Etna. Sofia returns home to photograph the Festival of Saint Agatha, so Adele picks her up from the airport. The next day, after having a wild but frustrating night because Adele still acts carefree about everything, the two begin their hike. While it is easy at first, soon the force of nature that is Adele and Sofia’s tenuous bond clashes with the actual force of nature that is the volcano.
And that is it for the plot. The film is pretty straightforward in terms of the action that propels the story. However, the layers lie within the characters’ relationship and who they were versus who they are now. Sofia might choose what she remembers, but is that a survival technique, or is she intentionally being mean? Adele still wants a laissez-faire lifestyle and seemingly cannot take accountability. But as long as what she’s doing isn’t harming people, who cares? These two seemingly incompatible ways of living, and why this trip has to happen now, are what really drive the plot.
“…the force of nature that is Adele and Sofia’s tenuous bond clashes with the actual force of nature that is the volcano.”
Insolia brings a vivaciousness to Adele that makes her instantly appealing. However, when called for, the actor digs deep and creates true dimension and drama within the part. Maggiora Vergano is sweet and relatable. She walks the fine line between stuck-up and responsible. The two actors’ chemistry is spot on, allowing viewers to understand why these two people became friends to begin with.
Idda examines the way people change and why they may still need old friends to lean on. It uses Mt. Etna and its lore to compelling effect, paralleling the emotional needs of the main characters. The use of b-roll of erupting volcanoes and flowing magma gives urgency to the emotional journey at the heart of the story.
"…instantly appealing."
