Prepare to be transported to the heart of Italy, where the ancient art of truffle hunting meets the drama of modern life. "Trifole," a film reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, doesn't just tell a story; it invites you to fall in love with Langhe, a breathtaking region in northern Italy. This area is famous for its farming, cheeses, and wine, and it feels untouched by the rush of today's world. It's a place where the past is beautifully preserved, but the future is uncertain.
The film focuses on the tradition of truffle foraging, a practice that's at the center of director Gabriele Fabbro's gentle drama. The story revolves around an aging truffle hunter, his restless granddaughter, and a way of life that's slowly fading away. The film's true strength lies in its stunning portrayal of the landscapes, even though the story itself has some shortcomings.
"Trifole" unfolds like a classic fable, introducing us to Dalia (Ydalie Turk), who's in her late twenties. She reluctantly visits her grandfather, Igor (Umberto Orsini), in Langhe. Her mother, Marta (Margherita Buy), is worried about Igor's failing memory and fears he may need to leave his beloved home. When Igor initially mistakes Dalia for his mother, it confirms Marta's fears.
Igor is content to spend his days in his remote paradise with his loyal dog, Birba, who helps him find truffles. He's disappointed that Dalia has rejected her family's roots for city life. Dalia struggles with her Italian, and when she offers to help find truffles, Igor doubts her abilities. But Igor sees more than just a lack of skill; he recognizes that Dalia is emotionally lost, her writing career stalled. Both are at a crossroads, unsure of what lies ahead.
Fabbro and Turk researched the region extensively, incorporating local stories into the narrative. The filmmakers insist that the plot points are based on real-life tales. In fact, there is a real Igor, Birba is a real truffle-hunting dog, and there's a 2020 documentary, "The Truffle Hunters," that shares many similarities with the film. This film is a celebration and a lament for Langhe, a region threatened by global warming and industrialization, endangering the practice of truffle gathering. Igor's fading memory serves as a poignant metaphor for a tradition slowly losing its connection to its past.
But here's where it gets controversial... The film's early storytelling is somewhat basic, establishing a familiar generational conflict between Dalia and Igor. When she compliments his farm, he replies, "It's nothing like the soil I knew when I was young." The tension rises when Dalia discovers he's deeply in debt. Igor's only hope is to find a rare and valuable white truffle. But he's too frail to venture into the deep woods, so Dalia, guided by Birba, must take up the quest.
The film's themes are clear and easy to understand. Dalia, though living in London, is unhappy, and Igor immediately understands why. "You don't love anything," he advises. "This will end up hurting you a lot." Dalia's journey to find the truffle becomes a quest for purpose, leading her to appreciate her grandfather. Turk portrays her character as insecure, making her the perfect candidate for a metaphorical rebirth through a forest adventure filled with magical events.
In his second film, Fabbro contrasts Igor's simple life with the chaos of modern truffle auctions. However, the film has limitations, especially in the simplistic portrayal of its main characters. Orsini, known for his work in Luchino Visconti's "The Damned," brings a fragile yet resilient presence to Igor, but the character is reduced to a symbol. This simplification also affects Dalia, who represents a younger generation disconnected from its heritage.
And this is the part most people miss... Only when Fabbro focuses on the Langhe landscapes does "Trifole" truly capture the weight of a culture at risk of disappearing. You can almost feel the sacred soil of Igor's youth, a world he alone remembers.
'Trifole'
- In Italian and English, with subtitles
- Not rated
- Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Playing: In limited release Friday, Nov. 14
What do you think? Does the film's portrayal of generational conflict resonate with you? Do you agree that the landscapes are the film's strongest aspect? Share your thoughts in the comments!
