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Gabriele Fabbro’s Trifole is a visually stunning Italian drama that immerses you in the misty, autumnal hills of Piedmont’s Langhe region, where the ancient art of truffle hunting collides with modern life and family duty. At its core, it’s a tender intergenerational story following Dalia (Ydalie Turk), a young woman who returns to care for her ailing grandfather Igor (Umberto Orsini), a master forager whose dementia is slowly eroding both his memories and the traditional way of life he embodies.
I thought this film would be a quiet, thoughtful story about characters, similar to a slower, more down-to-earth version of The Truffle Hunters, with some family drama added. And for the first hour, it was exactly that. The camera work was stunning, showing the forests in warm, golden colors that almost let you feel the scene. You can almost smell the wet earth and the special truffles. The relationship between Dalia and Igor develops naturally through shared routines: early morning truffle hunts with the dogs, quiet talks filled with stories, and the quiet tension of a granddaughter entering a world that’s slowly disappearing.
What really elevates those early stretches is the magnetic chemistry between the leads. Ydalie Turk is an absolute standout—charismatic, vulnerable, and fiercely present. She brings a quiet approach to Dalia that makes her feel like a real bridge between generations: urban, a bit adrift, yet deeply drawn to her roots. Her scenes with Orsini feel real; you believe their complicated history and the love that persists despite frustration and loss.
Unfortunately, Trifole loses its footing after the one-hour mark. What begins as a restrained, character-driven exploration of legacy and change veers into more chaotic, heavy-handed territory. The final act introduces elements that feel tonally jarring—almost feverish or overly symbolic—and the story dilutes the intimate power it had built so effectively. It’s a shame, because with tighter scripting (Fabbro co-wrote with Turk herself), this had the bones of a four-star gem.
Still, it’s a loving (if bittersweet) ode to a vanishing rural Italy, complete with themes of gentrification, family responsibility, and the quiet poetry of foraging. Turk’s performance alone makes it worth seeking out, especially for fans of thoughtful international dramas.
Trifole shines brightest when it stays close to the earth and its two magnetic leads. It had the potential to be something truly special, but a wobbly back half keeps it from fully blooming. Catch it for the scenery, the dogs, and Turk’s star turn—you’ll leave with a craving for truffles and a touch of melancholy.
Sat, June 6
Luna Leederville
4:15pm Arrivals
4:45pm Session start
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