Trieste, 1911. 17-year-old Ernesto works in his uncle’s factory. Curious about his sexuality, Ernesto embarks on an affair with one of his male colleagues but soon loses interest. His life will further complicate when he meets the beautiful Emilio and his twin Rachel—who both fall in love with him.

Adapting an Umberto Saba novel, Ernesto is a mid-career highlight for director Salvatore Samperi, whose work included numerous other psychosexual, transgressive tales of desire. Playing the older man in the age-gap relationship, Michele Placido won the Best Actor prize at the Berlin Film Festival.