My Place Is Here

My Place Is Here is a 2024 Italian drama film written and directed by Cristiano Bortone and Daniela Porto, based on the novel of the same name by Porto. It premiered at the Bari International Film Festival on 23 March 2024 and received a theatrical release in Italy on 9 May 2024.

Premise

In a rural village in Calabria in the 1940s, Marta, a young single mother forced into marrying a man she does not love, meets Lorenzo, a wedding planner and the only gay man in their town. Their friendship will lead Marta to reexamine the prejudices of their traditional community and seek her own place in the world as a woman.

Cast

Ludovica Martino as Marta
Marco Leonardi as Lorenzo
as Dora
as Marta's mother
Francesco Biscione as Marta's father
Adele Bilotta as Marta's sister
Antonino Sgrò as Gino
as Bianca
Francesco Aiello as Enrico
Francesco Aricò as Michele
Annamaria De Luca as Dora
Ivan Artuso as Amedeo
Gianvincenzo Pugliese as Francesco
Saverio Malara as Don Antonio
Production

Writer-director Daniela Porto, who was born to Calabrian parents, was inspired to write the film after learning about an openly gay man in her parents' village who helped women plan their weddings. Filming took place in Gerace, Metropolitan [City of Reggio Calabria|Reggio Calabria], as well as Fasano and Gioia del Colle in Apulia.

Release

Beta Cinema acquired international sales rights to the film in February 2024. The trailer was released on 15 March 2024.

Reception

Critical response

Carola Proto of Comingsoon.it gave the film three-and-a-half out of five stars and commended the performances of Ludovica Martino and Marco Leonardi. Giulia Lucchini of Cinematografo compared the film to There's Still Tomorrow and wrote, "This story of female emancipation and the fight against prejudice, despite some small stumbles, is ultimately convincing."