We’re heading towards the winter, and that’s always such a depressing moment. The days get shorter, the weather darker and apart from celebrating Christmas and New Year, there’s not much happening. Luckily, we have a family that gets us through those sombre times. Sadly, not everyone is that luckily, and certainly not the young Timo. Besides having to deal with the dark winter, he also has to deal with an illness, sadness and pain. His heart-breaking story is now being told by director and co-writer Giulio Mastromauro (“Valzer”, “Nuvola”). We already want to warn you, when you watch “Timo’s Winter” (original title: “Inverno”), you better take some tissue with you because you’re going to need them.

Timo (Christian Petaroscia) is the youngest members of a Greek community of funfair workers. While the busiest summer days are over, he and his family are still preparing themselves for the upcoming winter funfair. Putting the attractions together, polishing them and even trying them. However, behind the funfair, there’s also a dark side glooming, and we’re not talking about the clouds. No, Timo’s mother is very ill, and his family has to cope with both making sure that fair is ready for the launch as well as taking care of her. The emotional toll of that extremely big and it’s a hefty burden to bear, even more so for the little Timo. One day, he asks if his mother will become better. The answer? That’s something you have to hear for yourself.

After seeing the movie, it comes as no surprise that Timo’s story was able to travel around the world and to stop at film festivals such as Huesca International Film Festival, Flicker’s International Rhode Island Film Festival and the Tirana International Film Festival. Mastromauro’s latest work is such as moving, delicately shot and beautifully made movie and many elements contributed to that wonderful film.

Mastromauro’s latest work is such as moving, delicately shot and beautifully made movie and many elements contributed to that wonderful film.

First of all, cinematographer Sandro Chessa (“Gasper”, “Judas”) made sure that the uncertainty and dark times that await Timo and his family are represented in the most beautiful way possible. She went back to the ‘basics’ of filming, and we don’t mean that negatively at all. On the contrary! She just let the images speak for itself and just let the camera rolling. No special effects or no shots from unbelievable heights or low. However, when she takes the camera to some heights (yes, you will go on a ride in this movie), the emotions are heightened as well.

First of all, cinematographer Sandro Chessa (“Gasper”, “Judas”) made sure that the uncertainty and dark times that await Timo and his family are represented in the most beautiful way possible. She went back to the ‘basics’ of filming, and we don’t mean that negatively at all. On the contrary! She just let the images speak for itself and just let the camera rolling. No special effects or no shots from unbelievable heights or low. However, when she takes the camera to some heights (yes, you will go on a ride in this movie), the emotions are heightened as well.

What makes those emotions coming through even more is the sweet, adorable but also very-grown up performance by the young debutant Petaroscia. He brings so much innocence, emotions and cuteness to this movie and while not many words are exchanged in “Timo’s Winter”, he expresses the feelings with his eyes beautifully. It’s no surprise that Petaroscia won the award for Best Actor during the Il Varco International Short Film Festival earlier this year.

Just like the cinematography, the editing was kept very simple. No weird transitions or scenes changeovers that were trying to do too much. No, the scenes were edited very smoothly and because of that, those real-life emotions have a much more significant impact.

During its festival run, “Timo’s Winter” already took home multiple awards amongst which was the award for Best Short Film at film festivals such as Prato Film Festival, Ischia Film Festival and David di Donatello Awards. If you want to catch this movie, then you can watch it during the upcoming HollyShorts Film Festival. We’re pretty sure that you would like to see this movie because it’s a beautiful, emotional and touchingly portrayed one.

If you want to catch this movie, then you can watch it during the upcoming HollyShorts Film Festival. We’re pretty sure that you would like to see this movie because it’s a beautiful, emotional and touchingly portrayed one.

Liselotte Vanophem, Just Celebrity Magazine