Pietro, a city boy who visits the tiny mountain village of Grana with his mother one summer, meets a local herder boy, Bruno. Both 11 years old, they become friends over ensuing summer trips. Years later, Pietro’s father dies, leaving him a remote plot of land high on the mountain. He reunites with Bruno to rebuild a collapsed house there, rekindling his connection to the mountain and his friendship with Bruno, which continues as they navigate life, dreams, and relationships.

Set in northwest Italy’s spectacular Aosta Valley region and adapted from Paolo Cognetti’s novel with remarkable craft and transfixing beauty, The Eight Mountains explores the extraordinary lifelong friendship between two men who, drawn together by a place, share a bond that transcends their divergent paths in life.

An epic story expressed through intimate gestures, it’s a heartbreaking reflection on our connection to nature and the strength and fragility that coexist within us. Winner of the Jury Prize at 2022’s Cannes Film Festival.

Thanks to Picturehouse Entertainment for this preview. The Eight Mountains is released on 12 May.

From 31 Mar - 16 Apr, Visions of Europe returns to celebrate the breadth of European cinema. With a handpicked selection of 24 films from a Macedonian witch tale to a race through Berlin, we take in the best of European film including previews, festival hits and classics returning to the big screen.