The ethereal melodies of English band The Cure's "To Wish Impossible Things" gracefully accompany the rolling credits of Carlo Sironi's poignant film, gracing the screens of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The Cure's 1992 track served as a profound inspiration for Italian filmmaker Carlo Sironi, who, alongside co-writer Silvana Tamma, crafted the heartfelt Italian-French drama, "My Summer With Irène."
As described by the festival's official website, "The young and timid Clara encounters the spirited Irène, two girls with diametrically opposing personalities brought together by a recent illness that has shaken their fragile teenage perspective on life. When they impulsively embark on a journey to the seaside, it feels as if they are desperately grasping at the fleeting moments of time."
During a candid Q&A session at the 58th Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Sironi revealed the unconventional genesis of his film. "The inception of this movie was oddly unorthodox for me," he confessed. "With my previous work, I followed a logical path of research and inspiration. However, this time, it all began with a spontaneous spark."
So, how does this English rock band's song about fleeting love and dreams intersect with Sironi's latest cinematic vision? "Just two weeks before the filming of my first feature, 'Sole,' I was listening to The Cure's song that ultimately made its way into the ending credits," he revealed. "Within those four and a half minutes, I envisioned vivid scenes of Clara, the island, and the illness. I scribbled a few pages and tucked them away in a drawer."
The director confessed that the initial inspiration was a surprise even to him. It was only after completing 'Sole' and revisiting his notes that he realized the deeper significance of those fleeting ideas. "At the start, I couldn't fathom why this concept had captivated me," he shared. "But as I delved deeper into the film, I recognized the characters and personalities of two close friends from my high school days in these two girls. Their bond was intense and unique, yet their friendship's tragic end had nothing to do with illness."
Sironi concluded, "It was a strange blend of imagination and personal memory. I had to fuse these two elements and also interview young people grappling with illness to create this poignant tale."
