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Chosen Family Fights for Custody in Italian Drama
23 Jul
Summary
- A solitary truck driver unexpectedly cares for his young niece.
- A chosen family forms with a transgender woman and neighbor.
- Social services threaten to take the child, sparking a custody battle.

Italian director Dario Albertini's new film, "Armony," makes its debut at the Locarno Film Festival. The drama centers on Armony, a 55-year-old truck driver whose solitary life is upended when he must care for his 6-year-old niece, Carlotta, after her mother's disappearance.
A unique family unit begins to form, including Pamela, an older transgender woman, and Jenny, a young pregnant neighbor. This newfound familial bond faces a severe threat when child protective services moves to separate Carlotta from Armony.
Armony must then embark on a challenging legal battle to gain custody of his niece. The film, set in the coastal outskirts of Rome, delves into themes of loneliness, responsibility, and the resilience found in unconventional family structures.
Albertini was inspired by a true story, aiming to explore parenthood through the lens of someone initially resistant to affection. The film also touches upon the economic hardships and personal vulnerabilities present in contemporary Italian society, highlighting the emergence of hope and the desire to fight back during dark times.