Two orphaned teens finally get a chance at being a part of a family again when they’re adopted by a loving family — but the pair are sworn enemies. As they battle their traumatic pasts and their complicated feelings for each other, they forge an unbreakable bond.
Directed by Alessandro Genovesi (7 Women and a Murder) and written by Genovesi and Eleonora Fiorini (De Generazione), the Italian young adult romance movie The Tearsmith (Fabbricante di Lacrime) stars Simone Baldasseroni, Caterina Ferioli, and Sabrina Paravicini. It was adapted from the book of the same name by author Erin Doom.
Check it out at the top of this page.
Caterina Ferioli in The Tearsmith
Caterina Ferioli and Simone Baldasseroni in The Tearsmith
Years ago, after Nica (Ferioli) lost her parents in a car accident, she was sent to a strict and somber orphanage called Sunnycreek, nicknamed the Grave. There, Nica learned many tales — including the legend of the Tearsmith. The story tells of a world where everyone was void of emotion and couldn’t cry. So they sought out the Tearsmith, a shadowy figure who’d give them his tears. But in doing so, the Tearsmith brought out all the darkest feelings trapped in their hearts, which destroyed the world. According to Nica, she, too, would eventually become a part of this tale.
In all her years at the Grave, Nica felt completely invisible... but now, at age 17, her dream of being adopted has finally come true. The Milligans (Rovelli and Cinque) are sweet and understanding parents — but headmistress Miss Margaret (Paravicini) reminds Nica that this is a trial period. If she acts up, her adoption can be revoked at any time.
Nica is tested when she realizes her orphanage nemesis, Rigel (Baldasseroni), has just been adopted into the same family. Rigel, a mysterious teen prone to moodiness, was the orphanage’s golden child. Miss Margaret adored him so much that he was one of the only orphans she didn’t mistreat. And yet, in their time at the Grave, Rigel had always been exceedingly cruel to Nica, so the prospect of having to live with him again completely dashes her hopes of a better life. But as they come together to face the horrors they’ve suffered, a love blooms like no other.
Yes, it’s inspired by the international bestselling novel of the same name by Italian author Erin Doom. The book sold more copies than any other in Italy in 2022 and went viral on TikTok’s subcommunity BookTok, garnering Doom comparisons to fellow Italian author Elena Ferrante.
Simone Baldasseroni in The Tearsmith
No, The Tearsmith is fictional.
The movie was filmed in various locations throughout Italy.
