OPENS APRIL 25, CERT 15, 105 MINS

The subtitles of this Italian movie from Turkish-born director Ferzan Ozpetek translate its title as “Ignorant Fairies”, which gives pause as to whether that translator will ever work again. But it’s all uphill from there in a splendid, subtle, almost-love story which deals with grief and healing with deft courage and sharp comic poise.

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In Rome, Antonia (Margherita Buy) is shattered when her husband of 15 years is killed. She finds he had a long-time lover, Michele, and tracks ‘her’ down. But Michele’s a ‘he’ (Stefano Accorsi). At first the mourning rivals snap at each other, but as Antonia’s drawn into the non-judgmental world of his gay community, curiosity leads to bonding. However, Ozpetek shies away from any obvious, idealised arc: there are scenes of emotional ambivalence which only, say, Moretti would risk. A strikingly sensitive film, in all the right ways. Buy is a presence of graceful strength, there’s not a false note throughout. Quality.