The Last Beautiful Thing () is a 2025 drama film co-written and directed by Luca Luongo. It premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival where it was screened out of competition for the EFM section.
Plot The young Adele lives among the excesses of the nightlife of Naples. She is convinced that her life can improve by conquering Renzo, the PR of the nightclub where she works. But the meeting with the cryptic Federico will give her the chance to discover the true beauty.
Cast
Production The filming of the film began in Naples on August 1, 2023. Several scenes were shot between Portici and other places in the province of Naples.
Promotion and distribution The teaser trailer of the film was released on October 1, 2024. The film was promoted on Rai 1, Rai News 24 and TV2000 between February and March 2025.
The Last Beautiful Thing had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in the out-of-competition section EFM, on February 17. The film was released in Italian cinemas on February 21, 2025, with the national premiere in Rome. It was subsequently limited released on February 24, 2025.
The Last Beautiful Thing was released by Amazon Prime Video in the United States on April 8, 2026, and in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2026.
Reception
Critical response Although the film caused division during its presentation at the Berlinale, the Italian critics have usually judged Luongo's first work positively, appreciating its social aspects:
and the directorial line adopted for the narration:
Overall, the film was described as a courageous, raw, and deeply moving directorial debut, noted for its ability to capture the loneliness and vulnerabilities of today's youth through Adele's story, navigating between the excesses of Neapolitan nightlife and a more intimate search for meaning. Several critics defined the feature film as unconventional and thought-provoking. The director was praised for his courage in addressing youth distress and alienation without resorting to easy moralisms, offering instead an authentic and painful portrayal. Critics appreciated the direction, which successfully conveys a strong sense of realism, as well as the performances of the young protagonists, deemed intense and well-suited to giving voice to the complex psychology of the characters. Reviewers frequently highlighted how the narrative touches deep emotional chords, transforming a story of perdition into a journey of hope and the discovery of hidden beauty in small things. The film was occasionally described as an intense and necessary cinematic experience, standing out in the Italian independent film landscape for its intellectual honesty and visual power.
Accolades List of AccoladesOrganizations / FestivalsCategoryRecipient(s)Result75th Berlin International Film FestivalEFMLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloOfficial Selection2025 New York International Film AwardsBest Picture - DramaLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloWonBest Actor Luca LuongoNominatedBest CinematographyPierino SantellaWon2025 Los Angeles Italia Film FestivalBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Capri Hollywood International Film FestivalBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker SessionsBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominatedAudience Choice AwardLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloWon2026 New York Lift-Off Film FestivalBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominatedBest Leading ActorLuca LuongoNominatedBest DirectingLuca LuongoNominatedBest First-Time FilmmakerLuca LuongoNominatedBest CinematographyPierino SantellaNominatedBest Production DesignGiovanni TufanoNominatedBest Editing & Post-ProductionEugenio Bonemazzi, Alberto Moscone, Deniz Yuce, Luca Luongo and Arcangelo SarnataroNominated2025 Minsk International Film Festival ListapadCinema of the Young Best PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Sweden Film AwardsBest First Feature FilmLuca LuongoNominated2025 Napoli Film Festival Schermo Napoli DopoFestivalLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloOfficial Selection2025 Salerno Film FestivalAudience Choice AwardLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Ischia Global Film & Music Festival Best PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Ferrara Film FestivalPremiere Autore Best PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Villammare Film FestivalBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominatedBest DirectingLuca LuongoNominatedBest Original ScreenplayLuigi Granato and Luca LuongoNominatedBest Original SoundtrackSebastiano Della BianchinaNominated2025 Benevento Social Film Festival ArtelesiaBest PictureLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloNominated2025 Cefalù Film FestivalHonorable MentionLuca Luongo, Vincenzo Luongo, Silvio Rizzi Torino and Elio ParascandoloWon2026 Cimitile AwardBest ScreenplayLuigi Granato and Luca LuongoWonHonorable Award for ActingArturo SepeWon
References
External links