
Set on the gorgeous island of Lampedusa just off the coast of western Sicily RESPIRO tells the tale of Grazia (a brilliant Valeria Golino) a wife & mother whose unpredictable antics make her the talk of the island Nonetheless her family--husband Pietro (Vincenzo Amato) daughter Marinella (Veronica D' Agostino) sons Pasquale (Francesco Casisa) & Filippo (Filippo Pucillo)--love her dearly After Grazia commits several increasingly wreckless acts the townspeople convince Pietro to send her to a mental institution Determined to remain on the island close to her family Grazia enlists the aid of Pasquale who sets her up in a nearby cave After searching for days Pietro discovers her sun dress lying on the sand & the island mourns her death But after Pietro swims into the sea to plant a statue of the Virgin Mary his prayers for her return are somehow answered Based on an ancient Lampedusa legend RESPIRO sets a mood that is at once realistic & fantastical which reflects the energy of the island itself Playing the passionate fiery & loving Grazia Golino shows why she is one of cinema's most electrifying actresses