The Trial Begins

Director/screenwriter Vincenzo Marra crafts this tale of an unscrupulous civil servant who rises through the ranks to become a powerful businessman, only to see his empire buckle when the mistakes of the past catch up with him. Filippo Costa (Michele Lastella) began his career in the lower ranks of the Guardia di Finanza (an arm of the Italian military police which operates under the ministry of economy and finance), though it didn't take long for the ambitious worker to catch the attention of his superiors. A stiff and attentive worker who was following in the footsteps of his father, Filippo is sent on a high-profile audit when he unearths a collection of false invoices evidence of undocumented workers. Subsequently approached with a bribe by the owner of the business, Filippo makes a decision that will determine the trajectory of his entire career. Before long, Filippo is successfully working his way up the latter with remarkable speed. While a nasty break-up with his girlfriend initially throws him for a loop, Filippo is soon able to focus entirely on his career. But a new love is about to come into Filippo's life in the form of radiant, independent art-gallery owner Caterina (Fanny Ardant). Now, just as Filippo's connections begin to pay off and he starts to reap the rewards of living the high life, he is about to discover that his reach has exceeded his grasp.