Another End

Sal’s empty eyes reveal he has been living only on memories since he lost the love of his life, Zoe. Memories like fragments of a shattered mirror that cannot be put back together. Observing her brother with growing concern, Sal’s sister Ebe suggests that he tries “Another End”, a new technology that promises to ease the pain of separation by briefly bringing back to life the consciousness of a person who has died. In this way, Sal finds Zoe again – but in the body of another woman. It is a body he does not know but in which he is mysteriously able to recognise his wife. What was broken suddenly seems to be mended. In fact, “Another End” grants Sal the time to share a little more life with Zoe, to love her again, to be loved by her and, ultimately, to say goodbye. But this is a fragile, ephemeral and insidious joy. When Sal reaches the end of the programme, he has no intention of meekly watching as his love dissolves in the definitive loss of his wife.
by Piero Messina
with Gael García Bernal, Renate Reinsve, Bérénice Bejo, Olivia Williams, Pal Aron
Italy 2024 English, Spanish 129’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Gael García Bernal (Sal)
  • Renate Reinsve (Zoe-Ava)
  • Bérénice Bejo (Ebe)
  • Olivia Williams (Juliette)
  • Pal Aron (Doctor Doyle)

Crew

Director Piero Messina
Screenplay Piero Messina, Giacomo Bendotti, Valentina Gaddi, Sebastiano Melloni
Cinematography Fabrizio La Palombara
Editing Paola Freddi
Music Bruno Falanga
Sound Design Mirko Perri
Sound Fabio Felici
Production Design Eugenia F. Di Napoli
Costumes Mariano Tufano
Producers Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima, Carlotta Calori, Viola Prestieri, Paolo Del Brocco

Piero Messina

After graduating with honours from the DAMS film school in Italy, he took a degree in directing at the CSC – Scuola Nazionale di Cinema in Rome. In 2011, his short film Terra screened in the Cinéfondation section at Cannes. His debut feature film The Wait, starring Juliette Binoche and Lou de Laâge, was selected for the main competitions at Venice and Toronto. He has also directed television series including L’ora and Suburra – Blood on Rome.

Filmography

2015 L’attesa (The Wait) 2019 Suburra – La Serie (Suburra – Blood on Rome); series, 3 episodes 2020 L’ora – Inchiostro contro piombo (L’ora); series, 5 episodes 2024 Another End

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2024