The opening film at the Venice Film Festival last year, The Ties wrests meaningful new perspectives on age-old relationship conflicts. Aldo (Luigi Lo Cascio) has an affair and is thrown out by his wife Vanda (Alba Rohrwacher). But they have two young kids, and eventually he returns to the fold. Cut to 30 years later. Aldo and Vanda are still unhappily married, and their adult children bear the scars…

Skillfully edited and acted with great precision, this is Daniele Luchetti’s best film since the award-winning Nostra Vita (Our Life) ten years ago. Carefully offering different perspectives, not only from the straying husband, wife and lover, but also from their children, and cleverly counter-pointing developments thirty years apart, this draws us into a familiar dilemma but keeps a couple of trump cards up its sleeve. Comparisons to Marriage Story are not without merit.

"[Luchetti]’s grasp of relationships is utterly authentic and dives deep into the cruel dynamics of a couple at the breaking point" – Hollywood Reporter

"Luchetti and his cast build their mystery with great delicacy and style." Robbie Colin, Daily Telegraph

"An engrossing, affecting and thoughtful drama." Awardswatch

"Pleasantly dark and twisted." Marta Balaga, Cineuropa