Pier Luigi Bersani

"Andrea is a quirky, lonely, misfit and romantic individual who lives his life as if it were a black-and-white film, perpetually “out-of-sync” with the world around him... In the sultry, scorching August heat, he ventures by bicycle into a semi-deserted Rome, populated by a few surviving students, many elderly people and foreigners who cannot afford to vacation. Andrea intends to reach a supermarket where he can buy cans of tuna fish with which to continue accumulating points that will win him the mysterious “Happiness Coupon.” But if, among magical encounters, vicissitudes and bizarre happenings, reaching happiness is always a dream, pursuing it may turn out to be a nightmare... Besides, are we sure that, as they say, happiness makes one happy?"

In many Western countries, trust between the people and conventional political parties is at a low point while populist movements are on the rise. In Italy, protest party Movimento 5 Stelle, founded by popular comedian Beppe Grillo, vows to send all politicians home and bring power to the people. They win a stunning 25% votes, becoming the most-voted single party in Italy, but what happens when ideals meet parliamentary reality? Can one be uncompromising and effective at the same time? Are internet referendums direct democracy or faceless mob rule?