Early 1700s. Venice. The Ospedale della Pietà orphanage has a storied reputation for the distinguished musical education of its residents. The young women’s ensemble performances attract the attention of audiences, patrons, and even suitors, who become enchanted by their talent, believing their training will make them more virtuous wives. Cecilia, a virtuoso violinist, has been promised to a decorated army official upon his return from the battlefield. It is with the arrival of a new musical director—the ambitious composer Antonion Vivaldi—that she is awakened to the power of her musical gift and its possibilities for joy and emancipation.
Celebrated opera and stage director Damiano Michieletto crafts a stunning cinematic work with this story of Vivaldi, underappreciated in his time, through the lens of a young muse, who herself is transformed by music as she finds the inspiration to rewrite her own destiny. Sumptuous costumes and production design are further elevated by an inspired score bringing vibrancy and immediacy to a stirring centuries-old tale.
Genres: Historical; Music; Women-Centered
Duration: 110′
Language: Italian with subtitles
Screenings
- Saturday, October 18 at 5:00pm, AMC 14
- Sunday, October 19 at 2:45pm, Gene Siskel Film Center
Celebrating its 61st edition October 15 – 26, 2025, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America’s longest-running competitive international film festival. Showcasing acclaimed and exciting new films from around the world, the 61st edition will be held in person in theaters and venues around the city featuring a select program of films with open and closed captions. From dramas and thrillers to documentaries and comedies, the Festival presents a vast diversity of offerings, featuring competitive categories and programs including Black Perspectives; International Comedy; OutLook; After Dark; and the City & State program, showcasing films made in Chicago and throughout Illinois.