Duino is a 2024 romantic drama film directed by and starring Juan Pablo Di Pace. Inspired by Di Pace's life experiences, the film explores the first love of a homosexual Argentinian teenager, Matias, at UWC Adriatic, who grew up to be a film producer to reconstruct his memories.
Plot.
Matias came to UWC Adriatic, an international school in Duino, Italy, as a first year student in 1997, together with Alex from Sweden, with whom he soon developed romantic feelings. Alex was expelled after a prank and an argument with the headmaster, and Matias went into a period of depression until he was invited by Alex's family to spend the Christmas holidays together. During the holiday, Matias struggled to express his feelings for Alex, while Alex's sister Kathrine made romantic moves to Matias.
More than 20 years later, Matias became a debut film producer who wished to produce a movie about this experience, but struggled to recreate the story exactly the way he wanted. By chance, he discovered the lost VHS tape documenting his experience. Invited to Kathrine's wedding, he flew to meet and reconcile with Alex.
Reception.
Accolades.
The film has won numerous awards in film festivals before release. At NewFest 2024, "Duino" won Audience Award for Narrative Feature and U.S. Narrative Jury Special Mention. At Rio LGBTQIA+ Festival Internacional de Cinema, "Duino" won Best International Feature Film.