02/05/2024 - The first episode of the series by the Italian actress-director will world premiere in the French festival, accompanied by a Q&A session

The Art of Joy, the first series directed by Valeria Golino, will make its debut in a world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival (15-24 May), with a screening of the first episode, followed up by a Q&A session with the audience. Based on Sicilian writer Goliarda Sapienza’s posthumous novel of the same name - which had been rejected by Italian publishers for a great many years for being too scandalous, before going on to enjoy resounding success abroad - the series tells the story of a young girl from Sicily in the early 1900s, as she discovers her sexuality and a desire for a better life.

Written by Valeria Golino herself, together with Luca Infascelli, Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella and Stefano Sardo, the six-episode series follows the dramatic and adventurous life of Modesta, who was born in Sicily on 1 January 1900 to a poor family living in an even poorer region. Ever since her childhood, which was characterised by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, love and freedom, Modesta has been prepared to do anything in pursuit of happiness, without ever bending to the rules of the oppressive and patriarchal society for which she seems predestined. Following a tragic accident which tears her away from her family, she’s given shelter in a convent and, by virtue of her intelligence and determination, becomes the Mother Superior’s ward. Her path subsequently leads her to Princess Brandiforti’s villa, where she makes herself indispensable and obtains ever-greater power in the palace. Her tireless quest for emancipation goes hand in hand with a journey of personal and sexual growth, which sees her crossing the line between legal and illegal, and winning her right to pleasure and joy every single day.

The series’ protagonists are Tecla Insolia, playing the part of super-young Modesta; Jasmine Trinca (also featuring in the Netflix series Supersex [+see also:
series review
series profile] this year) as the Mother Superior; Guido Caprino (With or Without You [+see also:
trailer
interview: Stefano Sardo
film profile]) as Carmine, who manages the lands belonging to Carmelo’s villa, which is home to the Brandiforti family; Alma Noce (Brado [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) as the Brandiforte family’s youngest heir, Beatrice, who’s guided by Princess Gaia, who, in turn, is played by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (seen in last year’s I Told You So [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]); Giovanni Bagnasco as Gaia’s son Ippolito; and Giuseppe Spata (Fireworks [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) as their driver Rocco.

"I’m delighted to be returning to the Cannes Film Festival with a masterclass and to be able to present the first episode of my latest work in a premiere here”, Valeria Golino enthused, having previously directed two movies - Miele [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Valeria Golino
interview: Valeria Golino
film profile] in 2013 and Euphoria [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] in 2018 – which were presented in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section. “The Cannes Film Festival has always supported me on my journey as a director and I’m proud that The Art of Joy’s journey is starting here".

Following its premiere, the series produced by Sky and Viola Prestieri on behalf of HT Film will be distributed in Italian cinemas by Vision Distribution on two separate dates: the first from 30 May and the second from 13 June.

(Translated from Italian)