Filming is underway in Turin on Così, all’improvviso, the new feature by Salvatore Allocca which tackles the topic of HIV through the eyes of a teenager and her family. Written by the director together with Marco Borromei and Michela Straniero, the film is led by the young Emma Fasano (Dry, Genitori vs. Influencers) and Claudio Segaluscio (Sole), alongside Filippo Nigro (nominated for a David di Donatello for Different From Whom, also seen in the series Suburra: Blood on Rome and Citadel: Diana), Carolina Crescentini (nominated for a David di Donatello for Parlami d’amore, seen this year in Things We Don’t Say) and Antonio De Matteo (The Art of Joy), without forgetting Mia Benedetta (of the series The King) and a special appearance by Francesco Colella (of the series The Leopard and appearing this year in Love Divine).

Allocca directed several shorts and feature films before embarking on this new project. His most recent works include the drama Mancino naturale and the documentary Residence Hammamet – My Mother’s Maktub.

At the heart of the story is Giulia (played by Fasano), a bright high-school student from a well-off family who’s also an environmentalist and an aspiring student rep. The discovery that she’s contracted HIV totally shatters her world, driving her into secrecy and shame. But Christian (Segaluscio), a teenager with a troubled past who works in the kitchens of the hospital where she’s being treated, reaches out to her.

“Why tell a story about HIV nowadays? Because it’s the fact that it’s happening ‘today’ that makes this story so urgent,” Allocca stresses from on set. “It doesn’t spell doom anymore, in the way that it once did, but the stigma’s still there, just like thirty years ago.” The director adds: “Adolescence is already an age when you don’t know who you are: your identity is still being written. And in the midst of all this uncertainty comes a discovery that seems to tell you who you have to be from that moment onwards, it forces a label onto you, when all you want to be is yourself.”

Entirely set in Turin and slated to last around five weeks, the shoot locations include Districts 5 and 6, Piazza Carlo Emanuele II, Massimo D’Azeglio High School, the ASL clinic on Via Farinelli, the Istituto Alberghiero Colombatto and the Municipality of Carignano. The crew features numerous Piedmontese professionals, including production manager Stefano Masera, location manager Cristina Vecchio and production designer Marco Ascanio Viarigi.

“We believe this film is an important opportunity to raise awareness, because it speaks directly to young people who need tools and information to consciously address issues such as relationships, infection prevention and sexual health,” emphasised ANLAIDS president Luca Butini.

Così, all’improvviso is being produced by Mia Film, Helios Film and Emma Film, in league with Rai Cinema and with support from the Film Commission Torino Piemonte, with funding from FESR Piemonte (the Piedmont European Regional Development Fund) 2021-2027 – Piemonte Film TV Fund – and with Selective Contribution from the Italian Ministry of Culture. ANLAIDS ETS are also collaborating on the project.