Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Film | HER SECOND CHANCE: A Woman's Journey to Rediscover Herself

On the afternoon of June 17, the Italian film HER SECOND CHANCE a contender in the main competition for the Golden Goblet Award at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), held a cast and crew meet-and-greet.

Director Vito Palmieri and actors Marianna Fontana and Giovanni Anzaldo attended the event to share their experiences and insights from the film's production.

A Woman's Journey to Rediscover Herself

HER SECOND CHANCE unfolds at a gentle pace, telling the story of Anna, a woman who has served 15 years in prison for a murder she committed as a teenager. Although she is released, the judgment from those around her continues unabated. Anna leaves home and moves to a small town to start a new life, but she must continuously battle isolation, fear, and prejudice.

Italian director Vito Palmieri, whose first feature film SEE YOU IN TEXAS won the Jury Grand Prize at the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival, has once again been shortlisted for the Golden Goblet Award with his latest work. Reflecting on his second nomination, Vito Palmieri remarked that winning an award at an international film festival is a significant motivation. His experience in Shanghai profoundly influenced his dedication to directing, providing substantial encouragement and assistance in his subsequent creative endeavors.

When discussing the inspiration behind this film, Vito Palmieri mentioned his conversations with numerous inmates in a Bologna prison. They all expressed a similar wish—to start anew after release but feared the harsh judgment of society. He chose to portray a female protagonist because he believes women are in a relatively disadvantaged position in society. Spending a long time in prison and then reintegrating into society is particularly challenging for women, who face numerous unique issues upon their return.

Anna in the film committed murder in her youth. Upon her release, her new life had yet to truly begin. She faced an unfamiliar world and bore the brunt of societal judgment and criticism. To “deeply understand” this complex character, Marianna Fontana, who plays Anna, visited prisons to engage in in-depth conversations with inmates. She also consulted with criminal psychologists to better grasp the psychological and emotional states of such individuals. During filming, Marianna attempted to shut herself off internally, mimicking a child's wonder at new experiences, embodying the deeply introverted yet eager-to-restart-life psyche. Through this process, Marianna truly understood the "Annas". She remarked, "I feel that these people, confined in darkness for so many years, are incredibly hopeful of seeing the light again, of restarting their lives. Many of them indeed deserve that chance."

The Silent Strength

In HER SECOND CHANCE director Vito Palmieri abandoned intense dramatic conflicts and bustling, compact narratives, opting for a minimalist storytelling style, a strong trait in his debut film SEE YOU IN TEXAS. The film's pacing is quiet and slow, almost as if time stands still. "He can narrate an event in a very calm, understated manner, yet it carries significant social meaning," Marianna Fontana explained.

This approach extends to character development. Giovanni Anzaldo described his character, Antonio, as "a shy, fragile young man". It is this shy Antonio who meets the equally introverted Anna, and the two fall in love, confronting their dreadful pasts together while embracing their future adventures. "As my father says in the film, are you ready to embark on this adventure?"

Vito Palmieri hopes to convey a profound belief through this film: "Everyone has the right to a second chance at life." Despite some individuals having had negative experiences in the past, everyone should have the courage and opportunity to start anew.