Idda: A Volcanic Love Letter to Female Friendship

Mount Etna as a Character

When I first heard director Irene Dionisio describe how she approached the mountain in her film 'Idda,' my ears perked up. The Sicilian word for Mount Etna, 'idda,' literally means 'she'—a gendered reference that immediately transforms this geological marvel into something more personal and intimate.

"Idda" is how people in Sicily refer to Mount Etna. It is almost a character in its own right, with a maternal, primordial and simultaneously unpredictable dimension,' says director Irene Dionisio

Dionisio's genius lies not just in her visual storytelling but in how she uses the volcano as a mirror for her protagonists' inner lives. The film opens during the festival of Saint Agatha—a celebration steeped in tradition and spirituality—before segueing into a narrative that weaves together personal grief with the geological force of nature itself.

Female Friendship Under Pressure

The story follows Sofia and Adele, childhood friends whose bond is both a source of strength and a site of conflict. As they climb Mount Etna, we see their relationship tested not only by the physical challenge of the mountain but by deeper emotional terrain: secrets, fears, and unresolved issues that have been festering for years.

What strikes me most about 'Idda' is how it refuses to sentimentalize female friendship. Instead, it shows us women who are complex, flawed, and deeply human. Their connection is not always smooth; it's messy and real, which makes their journey all the more compelling.

A Mother's Voice in Cinema

Dionisio has spoken publicly about how this film was inspired by the loss of her own best friend—a tragedy that shaped her understanding of grief and motherhood. In the process, she's created a film that feels like a meditation on what it means to be a woman navigating life's transitions.

The film doesn't just portray friendship—it shows how memories, both beautiful and painful, shape us. When Adele and Sofia finally reach the summit, they're not just climbing a mountain; they're confronting their past selves and the dreams that once guided them.

Visual Poetry and Authenticity

The cinematography is breathtaking, with the volcanic landscape serving as both backdrop and catalyst for emotional revelations. The scenes where the characters climb are shot with such intimacy that you can feel their fatigue and exhilaration. The eruption footage—some from archival sources and some captured during the 2026 event—is not just dramatic spectacle but symbolic of life's unpredictable nature.

Tecla Insolia and Romana Maggiora Vergano bring such depth to their roles that Adele and Sofia feel like real people rather than archetypes. Their performances are nuanced and powerful, particularly in the quieter moments where they process what they've lost and what they're afraid of losing next.

More Than Just a Film

'Idda' is more than a story about two women and a mountain; it's an exploration of how we carry the weight of memory. It's about confronting the parts of ourselves we've buried, especially when those buried pieces are connected to our most important relationships.

By making the volcano both physical and emotional, Dionisio crafts something rare in cinema—a film that honors both the fragility and strength of female friendship while acknowledging the deep complexity of grief and healing. It's a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the pull of the past and the promise of the future.

Why This Matters Now

In an era where so much cinema focuses on male narratives or generic female experiences, 'Idda' stands out for its specificity. It's not just about women; it's about the particular kind of love that exists between friends who have known each other since childhood. It's about how those relationships evolve and sometimes falter under pressure.

What makes this film so special is how it trusts its audience to feel rather than just understand. The language is visual, emotional, and deeply poetic. And while it's rooted in Italian culture, the themes of friendship, loss, and self-discovery are universal.

So here's to 'Idda'—a film that reminds us that even the most ordinary moments can be extraordinary when they're lived with authenticity and care.