Sette Minuti

(Italy, 15’)

by Alessia Bottone

Language: Italian

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Alfredo talks to himself—or rather, he talks to a cigarette. True loneliness is a terrible thing, especially at seventy. Alfredo is a man who loved another man, Mario. He loved him so deeply that he found the courage to come out, losing his job and his family in the process. Mario, on the other hand, continued his married life, became a father, and eventually a grandfather—because he’s gay, but only part-time.

Alfredo can’t let him go, yet he can’t keep living a half-life either. And so, separation becomes inevitable. At first, Alfredo convinces himself he can escape the melancholy, but then, by accident, he puts on one of Mario’s old T-shirts and relives their entire life together. Because sometimes all it takes is a scent, a smell, to go back to where we once felt loved.

Now, Mario can’t bring himself to part from that scent, which turns into an obsession—believing that once it fades, the last traces of their love will disappear too.

Seven Minutes is the time it takes to smoke a cigarette on the balcony. Seven minutes to reflect on your life—and to realize that to truly exist takes courage, even the kind others never had.

Contacts bottonealessia1985@gmail.com