Giovedì 12 febbraio, dopo la proiezione delle ore 21:00, Q&A con il regista e l'attore protagonista Harry Melling in collegamento via Zoom. Colin is a shy and gentle young man: by day he gives out unwelcome tickets to owners of poorly parked cars, by night he melancholically performs in an a cappella choir at the pub. It is there that he spots—or rather, is spotted by—Ray, a motorcyclist who is a magnificent example of an alpha male. The attraction is immediate and, incredibly, mutual. Colin's parents, who know and support his homosexuality, are initially delighted that their son has found a loving companion. But they don't know that Ray is a dominator and Colin is his "pillion," a term used to refer to the seat of a motorcycle, but in this case, a metaphor for "submissive." The relationship between the two is one-sided: Ray commands and Colin obeys, given his "natural aptitude for devotion," as Adonis describes it. And this also applies to sex, giving Colin his first full intercourse (and first orgasm) at the price of his unilateral subservience. But when Colin tries to turn the relationship into a couple, things get complicated.
"After its astonishing run on the Croisette—winner of the Un Certain Regard section for Best Screenplay—Pillion reaches Italian audiences and leaves a lasting impression. The depth of Harry Lighton's work and vision prompts viewers to question themselves, demanding a little effort to let their emotions run through them, suspending judgment and preconceptions. Magnificent and unforgettable, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård are the protagonists, revealing themselves not only as exceptional actors, but above all as human beings capable of conveying the depth and complexity of certain characters.A first-person shot from a motorcycle hurtling at breakneck speed, a window rolling down, a fleeting glance. All accompanied by music that tends to heighten the sensations. Pillion's opening promises much, but we assure you it's just a taste. Over the course of its approximately 100-minute running time, the film will traverse a nearly infinite range of emotions, each powerful and compelling. Just like the protagonists. Drawn with extreme care and a tenderness that is at times heartbreaking, Colin and Ray are presented as if they were two planets apart. Yet, within them, something unites them and makes them complementary. Perhaps it's loneliness, perhaps it's the need to feel accepted for who they are, perhaps it's love that takes on the most diverse forms.
This feeling seems so strong that it overwhelms everything. If at first it takes on the characteristics of a simple adventure, it gradually takes on a more mature form, generating a fundamental awareness in Colin, a true transformation, both physically and in character. His journey forces him to face unexpected trials, not always pleasant, but all equally significant. Although he is the undisputed protagonist of the story, without Ray's presence nothing would have happened. And it is in the encounter between the two that the greatest strength and beauty of Pillion lies, a work capable of telling a human cross-section full of nuances, humanity, pain, and truth". (Sabrina Colangeli)
Best Screenplay Award at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.
