Der Kolibri (The Hummingbird, Il colibrì)
Italy/France 2022

Opening 16 May 2024

Directed by: Francesca Archibugi
Writing credits: Sandro Veronesi, Francesca Archibugi, Laura Paolucci, Francesco Piccolo
Principal actors: Pierfrancesco Favino, Nanni Moretti, Kasia Smutniak, Bérénice Bejo, Laura Morante

In the 1970s, during a vacation on the beach, young Marco Carrera (Pierfrncesco Favino) falls in love with Luisa Lattes (Bérénice Bejo). As an adult, Marco is married to Marina (Kasia Smutniak), raising daughter Adele, and enjoying granddaughter Nina. He never forgets Luisa. The marriage is difficult because Marina constantly accuses Marco of having cheated on her with Luisa although he firmly insists that they never had sex. And there are more problems. He and his friend barely escape a plane crash. Adele suffers a serious accident. These, as well as other events, disturb Marco, who seeks advice from psychiatrist Dr. Daniele Carradori (Nanni Moretti).

Based on the book by Sandro Veronesi, the film goes through 126 minutes of flashbacks about Marco. We share his life in Rome and Florence from childhood to old age, surrounded by seven more members of the Carrera family, including his brother Giacomo. Marco is told that he resembles a hummingbird (Kolibri) with a positive personality of energy, vigor, and good vision. Or, according to Wikipedia, Hummingbirds have “sensitive and visual communication abilities as well as a high metabolic rate.” One can’t get much better than that. Will these positive features aid in problem solving? (Becky Tan)