A nurse who cares for him and eventually becomes his lover, helping him find a new sense of independence. Content Guide (Extra Quality) Period Drama / Erotic Drama. Venice, Italy
Set in 1930s Italy under the Fascist regime, the film serves as a coming-of-age story that intertwines the sexual maturation of a young boy with the oppressive political atmosphere of the time. It is a film of dualities: the innocence of youth versus the corruption of the state, and the sanctity of the family unit versus the intrusion of totalitarianism. For viewers seeking "extra quality," the film offers high-caliber cinematography and profound thematic density, distinguishing it from the exploitation cinema common to the era.
The film is often discussed in academic and cult film circles for its specific portrayal of the process—a conscious choice by the protagonist to postpone entering an unwelcoming adult world. Reviews on IMDb highlight its critique of the Italian upper class and the hypocrisy of those who survived fascism with their status intact. La disubbidienza (1981)