FUORI

Rome, 1980. Unable to get her novel The Art of Joy published – a book she has been working on for a decade – author Goliarda Sapienza finds herself briefly imprisoned after she steals some jewellery from a wealthy friend as a provocation. However, the experience turns out to be life-changing: Goliarda discovers a world without class barriers and forms a deep bond with some of the younger inmates, including repeat offender and political activist Roberta.

After their release and over the course of a sweltering summer, the women continue to meet. Her friends’ stories and struggles for independence liberate Goliarda, who re-discovers the joy of living and the drive to write again.