Swing Ride / Calcinculo

Fifteen-year-old Benedetta is struggling with self-esteem, unsympathetic parents, and in general with an age when too much is happening at once. But she finds a secret haven among the nearby carousels, which are run by the charming Amanda. The shy girl is immediately charmed by the confidence and pride that Amanda unwittingly exudes. She cares nothing for gender labels, morals or the judgments of her surroundings. Although the strong bond that develops between Benedetta and Amanda can be liberating, it is far from a healthy relationship. As a result, clouds are often cast over the idyll of their roadtrip through the Italian countryside. Presented in the Panorama section at Berlinale, the film sketches an unromanticized version of adolescence and all the failings that this formative age brings. This road movie and bumpy journey towards independence is driven by the irresistible chemistry between the characters and the picturesque setting of southern Italy.