“Kidnapped” (Italian: “Rapito”) is a 2023 Italian historical drama directed by Marco Bellocchio. The film is based on the true story of Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy who was taken from his family by the Papal States in 1858 after being secretly baptized. The Church then raised him as a Catholic, a controversial act that ignited a significant political and religious conflict.

“The Beautiful Summer,” directed by Laura Luchetti, is a 1938 Turin-set coming-of-age film. It follows Ginia, a seamstress who, through her friendship with the bohemian Amelia, explores her identity and sexuality amidst pre-WWII societal norms. The film beautifully captures youth’s complexities and freedoms.