The Name We Give to Colors

Based on the true story of an educator whose activism led to the closing of Villa Giardini near Modena, and to reform in children’s institutions in Italy.

1970: Ettore is a new entry at “Villa Giardini”. His mother has passed away and his father’s new wife doesn’t want an extra mouth to feed. In this senseless place for children considered “subnormal” and “uncurable”, some mentally ill and others simply unwanted, he makes sense of the world through colors.

When an unusual teacher- “the Pastor” – arrives, enacting new methods of education that show the children respect, even love, Ettore knows that his life is about to change. In this intimate confession addressed to the Pastor, and to anyone who will listen, Ettore recounts a journey of healing through love and art.