ALONE WITH HER DREAMS (aka PICCIRIDDA)

"ALONE WITH HER DREAMS" (aka "PICCIRIDDA") tells the story of Lucia, a little girl of eleven whose parents emigrate to France, at the end of the 60s', in looking for work, entrusting her to grandmother Maria, a strict woman unable to express her feelings. With the passing of months, the existence of Lucia is surrounded by meeting people and relatives. Curiosity pushes her towards the adult world especially men in her family circle, a mysterious world from which to stay away (as grandma says) or to be discovered (as Lucia thinks). One of them hides a terrible secret and Lucia will remain a victim. In a hostile social context, the little Lucia pays a very high price, but her grandmother she hates so much in the first place, will teach her to fight and to grow with dignity, strength and optimism. Indeed, 30 years later, Lucia, coming back to Sicily, will discover how her grandmother (who's just passed away) has freed her from her demons and given her the strength to eventually live her own life.

Oliver Stone's quote: “A new Italian classic from the heart – shocking!” - July 6th, 2019

  • Paolo Licata
    Director
  • Paolo Licata
    Writer
  • Catena Fiorello
    Writer
  • Ugo Chiti (with the collaboration)
    Writer
  • Frederic Ollier
    Producer
  • Sandro Frezza
    Producer
  • Xavier Delmas
    Producer
  • Lucia Sardo
    Key Cast
    "Nonna Maria"
    I Cento Passi....
  • Marta Castiglia
    Key Cast
    "Lucia Picciridda"
  • Ileana Rigano
    Key Cast
    "Zia Pina"
  • Katia Greco
    Key Cast
    "Rosamaria"
  • Claudio Collovà
    Key Cast
    "Zio Saro"
  • Loredana Marino
    Key Cast
    "Zia Franca"
  • Tania Bambaci
    Key Cast
    "Cettina"
  • Federica Sarno
    Key Cast
    "Lucia Adulta"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    PICCIRIDDA
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 35 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 30, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    1,100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy
  • Country of Filming:
    Italy
  • Language:
    Italian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4k Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Taormina Film Festival 2019
    Taormina, Sicily
    Italy
    July 5, 2019
    Worldwide Premiere
    Official Selection - Best Script Award and Two Special Mentions for the actresses
  • Ortigia Film Festival 2019
    Ortigia, Sicily
    Italy
    July 18, 2019
    Official Selection - Audience Award and Jury Special Mention
Distribution Information
  • House Of Film
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Paolo Licata

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Director Statement

PICCIRIDDA (LITTLE ONE) is not a true story, but it is inspired by countless stories really happened in those years and in those places, and it is obviously a denunciation of events that happen constantly in any part of the globe.
In this direction, I’ve tried to never miss an opportunity to emphasize how this story, set in the past of our Italy, is a current, symbolic and emblematic story, now more than ever. Because at every latitude and in every epoch, childhood, understood as the age of vulnerability but also as the age of formation and openness to all possibilities, can suffer violence and abuse.
The saturated tones of Sicilian atmospheres are for me the perfect setting for a story with a high dramatic content that describes a reality common to many children of southern Italy during the 60s’: the phenomenon known as "passive emigration", as emigration seen from the perspective of those who remain in their country of origin and see their family members leaving in search of work. This theme can not but recall to the viewers of the current reality: migrant peoples, women and men from other countries who leave their lands, looking for a better life, entrusting their young children to those who remain, while waiting for a family reunification that is often not possible. It is an important current issue that must never stop finding its own space in the information world, by any means.
Going back to a late 60s’ Sicily allowed me to set my first feature in the places that I love, that I know and that have formed me, starting from a novel not only successful, but above all with a solid narrative system and unforgettable characters. Being Sicilian, as the author of the novel also is, my identification with the story was complete. I’ve found in the pages of Catena Fiorello an exact and sincere description of the flavours, aromas and colours of my land. This novel gave me the challenge to adapt it to the cinema: it has stimulated me to seek the same intensity of truth in bringing it to the big screen.
I intended to tell the story of Picciridda from the point of view of our little protagonist and from the perspective of her innocent eyes. Photography, set design and costumes were tools to build a strongly cinematic story, in the classic sense of the term. I’ve tried to valorise the harsh and luxuriant beauty of my land, confident that a story of universal cultural interest, combined with the fascinating Sicilian setting, will involve a wide and international audience.