Avemmaria

Avemmaria (2026)



6.5 2026 109 min —

Director: Fortunato Cerlino

Cast: Salvatore Esposito, Marianna Fontana, Mario Di Leva, Carmine Borrino, Franca Abategiovanni

Crime Drama
In a crumbling apartment with just two dim rooms, young Felice lives crammed alongside his recently unemployed father Raffaele, his mother Antonietta—still young but hollowed out by sorrow—his bitter grandmother Filomena, who never wears anything but black, and three brothers, with a fourth on the way. Trapped in a world ruled by poverty and brutality, a boy like him has two choices: let the weight crush him, or hold tight to his dreams. His imagination becomes his only escape, but in the hardscrabble neighborhood of Pianura, dreaming is treated like a sin—being poor and hopeful is seen as a flaw. That is, until his teacher Giulia spots his gift for singing and opens a door to something bigger. When Felice lays eyes on Neil Armstrong’s footprint in his textbook, it dawns on him: maybe he, too, can escape Pianura and set foot on the moon.

More About This Film

Avemmaria is a coming-of-age drama rooted in the world of Pianura on the outskirts of Naples. Young Felice grows up surrounded by poverty, family tensions and limited opportunities, but his imagination and love of singing give him a way to imagine a different future.

The story moves between childhood and adulthood, connecting Felice's memories with the perspective of the man he later becomes. The film uses dreams, music and the image of the moon as symbols of escape and possibility while keeping its emotional focus on family, origins and the desire to move beyond inherited limitations.

  • Fortunato Cerlino makes his feature directing debut with the film.
  • The screenplay was adapted from Cerlino's autobiographical book Se vuoi vivere felice.
  • Salvatore Esposito and Mario Di Leva portray Felice at different ages.
  • The film premiered at the 2025 Turin Film Festival.
  • Italian distributor Europictures released the film theatrically in 2026.

Where to Watch

Avemmaria has had an Italian theatrical release, while wider digital availability depends on territory and licensing. Check the services below for the latest options.