Shade

In a Rome divided between the city center and the suburbs, rich and poor, famous and not, Alex, Gaia, and Marco are three friends in their early twenties who dream of escaping the future society has written for them. Street life, working at the market, poverty, small-time drug dealing, suburban tenements, and the dream of hip-hop are Alex's life until his dream comes true and he finds himself catapulted into the world of rap, playing his part and proving his worth. Managing his own destiny, however, isn't easy, and Alex makes many mistakes, leaving him alone, without a point of reference, and with fleeting success. He must then confront his demons, the harshness of the world, and his own confusion, to learn to love his anger and understand what he truly desires.

Candida is a fifteen year old from Sicily, who lives with her father Salvo. When he loses his job, they leave for Turin. Candida has to integrate in a new school where she is bullied, as does her partner Jacopo. But thanks to her positivity, it will be Candida who will let Jacopo out of his isolation, making him discover that everything is good, even when it is not great.

A summer in the early 2001 set in the city of Riccione.

The Sanremo Music Festival is the most popular Italian song contest and awards, held annually in the town of Sanremo, Imperia, Italy, and consisting of a competition amongst previously unreleased songs. The Festival was the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest.