Honey

Film Info

Italy 2013 | 90 min. Director: Valeria Golino

There is currently no offer available

Honey

Synopsis

Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she's a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of “Miele” (Honey), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new "client" with a fatal dose, only to find out he's perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwillingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene's life forever.

www.mymovies.it/miele/

Cast & Crew

Director

Valeria Golino
Producer

Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphaël Berdugo
Screenwriter

Francesco Marciano, Valia Santella, Valeria Golino
Director of photography

Gergely Pohárnok
Main Cast

Valeria Golino, Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte
Editor (Cut)

Giogiò Franchini
Sound

Emanuele Cecere
Production Design

Paola Bonfini
Costume Design

Mariarita Barbera

Director's comment

Almost three years ago I read a very interesting review of the novel, the theme attracted me enormously. The subject of mercy killing is taboo in Italy, much more so than in any other European country, because of the Vatican influence and of our catholic imprint. But I feel that whereas the Italian people are ready to address this and other ethical issues, the politicians are not.

Also, I wanted to make the film because the novel has a very cinematic feeling to it. Despite the gravity of the subject, the book has a lot of visual potential. The protagonist, Miele, has a powerful vitality, even more pronounced because of her dealing with pain and death. That contrast attracted me.

I believe every human being should have the right to choose over their body, their life, and how to end it. Having said that, I don’t mean the film to be a manifesto. In fact, it doesn’t give answers, it only poses questions. I would like to think that the film is about shifting convictions, prejudices and the fears that we all have.