A quaint, dusty dining room. Angela (55), who has long been in a state of confusion, is in front of her birthday cake, while around her the children (Benedetta, Cosimo, and Raffaele) and Aunt Lisa (60) sing “Happy Birthday.”
Everyone is about to eat their slice of cake, but Angela refuses her piece, pushing the plate away. Her reaction causes a commotion among the siblings.
Cosimo (30) tries to settle the situation, ordering Benedetta (27) to make Angela eat. After some resistance, his sister obeys. When she approaches their mother, Angela gives her a piece of chocolate, saying “He’s hungry.” Confused by Angela’s words, Benedetta returns to her place.
Raffaele (24) decides to lift everyone’s spirits by reminding their mother of the song they used to sing with their grandfather. He stands up and pulls his mother close. He whispers that little tune into her ear, and they slow dance. Raffaele keeps singing and the atmosphere grows darker and more somber.
Cosimo can no longer hold back. He pushes his brother away from their mother. Amid the chaos, Angela tells Benedetta to go downstairs. Under the table. Benedetta doesn’t understand, but decides to do as her mother says.
Benedetta crawls under the table. Among the broken glass and trash, she sees the figure of a man. At first, Benedetta is afraid of him, but soon after she seems to recognize the man. The encounter becomes intimate and tender. At the moment of their closest connection, the man suddenly feels unwell. Discovering that he has a deep, bleeding wound, Benedetta advise him to go upstairs together. The man resists. There is nothing left inside for him. Seeing him dying, Benedetta decides to end it, putting her hand inside his wound.
Benedetta returns to the dining room. Only her mother is there. Suddenly, Angela hears the echo of the man’ screams in the room. Angela goes under the table. Benedetta tries to stop her, but her mother disappears into the darkness.
Directed by Marco Scannicchio (Italy)