Twice Born (2012)

Twice Born (2012), directed by Sergio Castellitto, is a poignant and emotionally charged drama based on the novel Venuto al mondo by Margaret Mazzantini. The film, which stars Penélope Cruz and Emile Hirsch, explores themes of love, loss, and the haunting effects of war. Adapted by Castellitto himself, the film delves into the complex relationships between its characters, set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War, and explores how the past and present intertwine to shape one’s destiny.

The story follows the journey of Gemma (Penélope Cruz), a woman who returns to Sarajevo years after the war to visit the city that changed her life. There, she begins to recount her emotional and turbulent past, which involves her love affair with Diego (Emile Hirsch), a passionate relationship that blooms during the chaotic and tragic times of the Bosnian conflict. The narrative alternates between the present and flashbacks, creating a layered structure that reflects the passage of time and the lingering scars of war on the human soul.