Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen or pose a general question (examples below) and give people some time to themselves to jot down or think about their answers before opening the discussion:

• Why do you think the film is named Happy Winter?
• What did you learn from this film? Did you gain a new insight?
• Describe a moment or scene in the film that you found particularly disturbing or moving. What was it about that scene that was especially compelling for you?
• Did anything in the film surprise you? Was anything familiar?
• If you could ask anyone in the film a single question, whom would you ask and what would you want to know?

The Struggling Italian Economy

The economy in Italy has been sluggish for some time. Do you notice a connection between the politician’s platforms and the economic challenges of the beach goers? How do you think the politician is leveraging the economic duress of vacationers to earn votes? How do you think the economic challenges are making Italians feel about their leadership, and a general sense of hope for their country?

In the film the vacationers chose not to flaunt their economic hardship. What did you observe that suggests that the Italians vacationing might be facing such hardship?

The families on the beach discuss the lack of jobs in Italy, and some of them are struggling to find work. Why do you think the beachgoers continue to vacation for Ferragosto despite their economic hardship?

Nino, the drink seller on the beach, is the only person we see working in the film, yet Tony Serio and the police criminalize him for vending without proper licensing. When the two get into an argument about Patti’s work, the vendor responds saying “they’re making a war against the poor...The politicians profit from all these sea activities.” How do you feel about Patti’s position of working ‘under the table’ to support his family? Although he seems like a staple to the annual vacationers’ landscape and has generated his own job in a plummeting economy, he does not feel supported by the Italian government. In fact, he feels targeted by some members of the vacationing community. How do you feel when Patti is targeted? Have you witnessed similar treatment of certain professions in your own community?

What do you notice about the difference in activities of Antonio, the drink vendor, and the Ferragosto vacationers during the evening festival celebration?

Antonio urges his son to go through high school and graduate because he doesn’t want him to work his same job in the future. Education rates in Italy are lower than most of the European Union. Why is this exchange important? How is Antonio’s approach to improving his family’s life different from Tony Serio’s?

Economics and Lifestyle

The small and simple lodging accommodations of the beach goers seems to contrast with the families’ ability to afford an extended vacation. What might this disconnect suggest about the beach goers desire to project a certain lifestyle?

Even though the vacationers parade in celebration and bask in holiday ease while the drink seller Antonio works day in and day out, he is targeted by the police and by aspiring politician, Tony Serio. How does his criminalized labor amidst the leisure of the vacationers make you feel? What would change if Antonio formalized his business as Tony Serio suggests?

What do you observe about the connection between the economic and political changes in the region? How might some of the economic challenges have affected Tony Serio’s political platform?

“This is my little corner of the sea,” says Piera when introducing her cabin to a friend. As Piera goes through the cabin and presents a tour to her friend, she appears proud despite the limited size. What do you think is the function of pride? Why is it important?

Finding Joy in Times of Hardship

In some ways, the film suggests that this group of Italian vacationers are living lavishly, as it features a series of parties and leisure. Yet, we receive glimpses into some families’ unemployment, their meager beach accommodations, and other insights that suggest that this community is struggling to make ends meet. Do you feel that the beachgoers are covering up their struggles or finding joy despite them? Can you recall a time when you or your family chose to do something that brought joy even though it was a time of hardship? Why might it be valuable to take this annual Ferragosto trip, even if the families are struggling financially?

Changing Political Climate

Based on the issues the aspiring politician Tony Serio brings up, what do you sense are the concerns and fears for some of the Italian population he seeks to represent?

Candidate Tony Serio campaigns on the beach about limiting immigration, yet some of the Italian vacationers are practicing Aikido, a Japanese martial art. What does this suggest about the relationship between cultural exchange and immigration in the country?

Antonio explains how leaders don’t want altercations with vendors on the beach because they’d scare off tourists. He adds that Bangladeshis are also vending in the area and experiencing altercations with law enforcement. What might this suggest about the relationship between migration and economics?

Throughout the film, it is often hard to tell what day it is or how much time has passed. There is this sense of time expanding. The same sand flatter rolls across the beach outside of the vacationers’ huts each morning, creating a sense of repetition. What effect does this repetition and expansion of time have on you? What impression does this give you about Italian culture, or the current state of Italy?

Xenophobia

When Tony Serio is in the midst of campaigning, he suggests that the struggle of immigrants is inflated and hopes to route empathy away from immigrants and back to Italians. About immigrants’ ability to leave home and relocate, he says “where do they find the money if they're so poor?” He even goes further to claim that “they will kill you and cut your body in pieces.” Why do you think Tony has these feelings about immigrants? He later says about Italians that there are thousands “who know what it means to not know how the bills will get paid.” How do these statements side-by-side reveal both the political and economic complexity of Italy?

When Tony shares his anti-immigrant campaign, some beach goers are empathetic to their experience. One man exclaims, “They come over here, poor souls.” Even though these men are reacting to the same changes, they respond differently. Why might they have arrived at different conclusions?

Tony Serio attempts to craft his campaign to appeal or respond to the specific hardships of the beachgoers. Does this feel genuine? How did Tony find ways to connect to the struggles of the other Italians? There are many factors that have contributed to problems like unemployment and the lack of educated adults in Italy. Why do you think Tony specific targets migrants as the cause?

When communicating his concern about the non-Italian population, Tony says “They sell their kids to sell their organs” and “they will kill you and cut your body in pieces.” Why do you think he paints such a visceral and violent picture? What impact do you think he is hoping it will have?

Have you witnessed populism gaining ground in your own community and country? How have politicians in your country used fear to motivate voters?

Closing Questions

At the end of your discussion, to help people synthesize what they’ve experienced and move the focus from dialogue to action steps, you may want to choose one of these questions:

• What did you learn from this film that you wish everyone knew? What would change if everyone knew it?
• If you could require one person (or one group) to view this film, who would it be? What do you hope their main takeaway would be?
• The story of Palermo beachgoers is important because ___________.
• Complete this sentence: I am inspired by this film (or discussion) to __________.

Additional media literacy questions are available at: https://www.amdoc.org/engage/resources/media-literacy-questions-analyzing-pov-films/using-framework/