Gianni explores the interior of the abandoned villa, imagining what it might have been like before.

Arianna shows us around the Cathedral Square, where the bell tower, better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is located.

This beautiful church is worth a stop on the way from Pisa to the seaside. Arianna shares her discovery of it. The ceramic bowls that decorate the church are technically known as “bacini ceramici” in Italian, which could be translated as “ceramic basins.” Art historians who write in English, however, also use the term “bacini” for these tin-glazed works.

Arianna takes us down to a beach near Pisa, and explains a bit about how beaches work in many parts of Italy.

This biopic about Domenico Modugno, one of the most beloved Italian pop singers of all time, best known for his hit song, Volare, begins with a hymn to life. Enjoy!

Domenico tells his story to the audience, and to us, as he takes us back to when he was a youth. There was one movie theater in town, and he was always there.

Domenico asks his cousin for some money to go to Rome, and goes to see the town priest to see if he can get a ride. But there is an emergency, and his priorities have to shift.

In Sicily, at one time, horses would work in the sulfur mines and slowly become blind. The story is told through a Sicilian ballad, sung by Domenico Modugno. Mimì's mother sits with him as he prepared his bags, but she struggles to understand why he would want to leave. See complete lyrics (in Sicilian) here.

Domenico gets on the pilgrimage bus to Rome and entertains his fellow passengers with a song. Don Antonio might have made different song choices... At the convent where the pilgrims are staying, Domenico makes friends with Father Mello.

Domenico goes to the Experimental Center where there is a sea of candidates waiting their turns to go in and take the entrance exam. He meets a friendly guy named Riccardo Pazzaglia. He also meets a girl who is rather nervous and feeling insecure.

Domenico does his audition in front of the movie camera. Then he has to figure out how to make enough money to pay for his room and board. His new friend Riccardo gives him a couple of important tips.

While the hopeful actors are waiting at the gates of Cinecittà for a bit part, a famous actor drives out and causes a stir. Back at the convent, Domenico sings a song about a cricket in love with the moon. If you want to hear the whole song sung by Modugno, check it out here.

Domenico gives a moving performance of one of his songs at the circolo (club), and meets Raimondo Lanza di Trabia, who is there with the actress/princess he had seen at the convent.

In the present, Domenico is describing his life in Rome to his audience. There are flashbacks to the reality of those times.

Domenico begins recounting his second (and best) year at the Experimental Center in Rome. One reason it was his best year is that he met a very special person.