La casa degli sguardi

Marco is 20 years old and has a remarkable ability to feel, perceive and empathise with the pain of the world. He writes poetry and seeks “oblivion” in alcohol and drugs: a state of unconsciousness impenetrable even to the anguish of existing and being alive.

He drinks a lot—too much. He is running from pain, but above all from himself. To live, he has to numb himself. He is unable to engage with life unless his blood alcohol level is extremely high, and he has withdrawn from everyone: his friends and girlfriend, frightened by his desire for self-destruction.

His father, too, a witness to this slow suicide, cannot cope with so much suffering, but at least tries to be there for him. His mother died several years ago, leaving a great void.

When Marco starts working for the cleaning cooperative at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, he is convinced that being in contact with sick children will kill him.