The Art of Joy

Synopsis

Born on the 1st of January 1900 in a poor family in rural Sicily, Modesta pursues happiness since her childhood without falling victim to the constraints of society. After a tragic event that takes her away from her family, Modesta is welcomed into a monastery, where she becomes the Mother Superior’s protégé thanks to her intelligence and stubbornness. Later, she arrives at the villa belonging to the Princess of Brandiforti, where she makes herself indispensable. This relentless process of emancipation goes along with a journey of personal growth and sexual awakening, which lead her to discover and claim the right to pleasure and happiness.

Trailer

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Cast

Tecla Insolia

Modesta

Jasmine Trinca

Madre Superiora Leonora

Guido Caprino

Carmine

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi

Principessa Gaia Brandiforti

Alma Noce

Beatrice

Giuseppe Spata

Rocco

Nika Perrone

Mena

—

Viviana Mocciaro

Modesta (bambina)

Antonio De Matteo

Padre

—

Alice Canzonieri

Madre

Eleonora De Luca

Argentovivo

Lollo Franco

Antonio

Paola Pace

Suor Teresa

Mariella Lo Sardo

Suor Costanza

Giovanni Calcagno

Mimmo

—

Erika Bonura

Tina

—

Alessia Debandi

Ilaria

Vincenzo De Michele

Pietro

Crew

Camera

• Fabio Cianchetti Director of Photography

Directing

• Valeria Golino Director
• Edoardo Francesco Marini Assistant Director

Editing

• Giogiò Franchini Editor

Production

• Viola Prestieri Producer
• Sonia Rovai Executive Producer
• Erica Negri Executive Producer
• Valerio Golino Executive Producer
• Viola Prestieri Executive Producer
• Gennaro Formisano Executive Producer
• Nils Hartmann Executive Producer

Sound

• Tóti Guðnason Original Music Composer

Writing

• Valeria Golino Writer
• Luca Infascelli Writer
• Francesca Marciano Writer
• Valia Santella Writer
• Stefano Sardo Writer
• Goliarda Sapienza Book

Seasons & episodes