Two men engage in a twisted, homoerotic relationship in Capri in Giuseppe Patroni Griffi’s study in desire and isolation.

An actor (Umberto Orsini) recovering from a break-up and a 19-year-old man (Dino Mele) with an unspoken trauma connect in off-season Capri, where the restaurants close early in the evening, the rain is a frequent visitor and the streets are practically deserted.

Homoerotic fireworks explode – but the arrival of a woman (Françoise Prévost) on the island threatens to change everything.

Griffi’s camera is in love with the beautiful Mele, who gives a great performance depicting the wild, untamed passion of youth. Il Mare received little attention upon its release, but its reception has grown over the decades, with director Derek Jarman even declaring it his favourite film.