Fortuna (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A child navigates grief, uncertain family stories, and the struggle to understand how others define her.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Care and Unease at Home

Nancy follows household routines while Rita and Pietro treat her as a child in their home. Rita encourages her drawing and promises outings, but Nancy remains withdrawn and confused about how others see her.

Key Events

• Nancy's Household Routines — The adults treat Nancy as a child in their household as she goes through daily routines. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Rita / Gina, Pietro Location: Household
• Learning Animal Names — Nancy practices naming animals as part of her daily life. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna Location: Unspecified
• Drawing and Promised Outings — Rita encourages Nancy to draw and promises to take her on outings. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Rita / Gina Location: Household

Cruelty and Loss

The children encounter teasing and cruelty, including harassment directed at Nicola. After he is injured in a fall and dies, the funeral and one girl's self-blame deepen the grief.

Key Events

• Teasing at School and Nearby — The children encounter teasing and cruelty, including harassment directed at Nicola. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Nicola Location: School and neighborhood
• Nicola's Fatal Fall — Nicola is injured in a fall and dies. Characters: Nicola Location: Unspecified
• The Community Funeral — The community gathers for Nicola's funeral as the children grieve. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Nicola Location: Funeral gathering
• A Girl Blames Herself — One of the girls blames herself after Nicola's death. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna Location: Unspecified

Conflicting Family Stories

Nancy learns that her father is in jail and receives a message from him. Rita's use of the name Fortuna and denial that she is Nancy's mother undermine the identity Nancy thought she had.

Key Events

• News of Her Father — Nancy learns that her father is in jail and may be released early; a message calls her his little princess. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna Location: Unspecified
• The Name Fortuna — While playing, Rita calls Nancy Fortuna, prompting Nancy to ask why. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Rita / Gina Location: Unspecified
• Rita Denies Motherhood — Rita tells Nancy that she is not her mother, contradicting the family story Nancy believed. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Rita / Gina Location: Unspecified

Care Amid Unresolved Tension

Lessons, drawing, and games continue as painful memories and conflict intrude. At a gathering, Rosalba resists pressure to dance and show her tattoo, ending the account on unresolved tension.

Key Events

• Lessons and Games Continue — The adults try to occupy the children with lessons, drawing, and games amid continuing confusion. Characters: Nancy / Fortuna, Rita / Gina Location: Unspecified
• Rosalba Rejects the Pressure — Pressed to dance and show a tattoo, Rosalba angrily tells others to stop touching her. Characters: Rosalba Location: Gathering

Story Breakdown

• Household Routine — Nancy is treated as a child in the household while trying to make sense of her place there.
  • Naming Animals — Nancy practices naming animals during her daily routines.
  • Drawing and Outings — Rita encourages Nancy to draw and promises to take her on outings.
• Uncertain Identity — Fragments of conversation and Nancy's confusion cast doubt on her understanding of herself and her family.
  • Strained Conversations — Conversations hint at strained family relationships and uncertainty about Nancy's past.
  • Withdrawn Child — Nancy seems withdrawn and struggles to understand how people around her see her.
• Children Under Pressure — The children encounter cruelty in school and the neighborhood.
  • Teasing and Harassment — The account describes teasing and harassment directed at Nicola.
  • Children Together — Nancy spends time with other children, including girls close to Nicola.
• Nicola's Death — Nicola's fatal fall brings the community together and intensifies the children's grief.
  • Fatal Fall — Nicola is injured in a fall and dies.
  • Funeral and Blame — The community gathers for the funeral, and one girl blames herself.
• News of Her Father — Information about Nancy's father adds another uncertain element to her family story.
  • Jail and Release — Nancy learns that her father is in jail and may be released early.
  • Little Princess Message — She receives a message from her father calling her his little princess.
• Fortuna Revelation — Rita's words unsettle Nancy's understanding of her name and their relationship.
  • A Different Name — Rita calls Nancy Fortuna while they are playing, and Nancy asks why.
  • Denied Motherhood — Rita says she is not Nancy's mother, contradicting the family story Nancy believed.
• Unresolved Tension — Attempts to keep the children occupied do not prevent conflict and painful memories from intruding.
  • Lessons and Games — The adults use lessons, drawing, and games to occupy the children.
  • Rosalba's Protest — Under pressure to dance and show a tattoo, Rosalba tells others to stop touching her.

Directed by

Nicolangelo Gelormini

Key Cast

• Valeria Golino — Rita / Gina
• Pina Turco — Gina / Rita
• Libero De Rienzo — Pietro
• Cristina Magnotti — Nancy / Fortuna
• Giovanni Ludeno — Mimì