The Penpal

Director Sarah Klewes is merely twelve years old when she meets writer Claretta Cerio, 65 years her senior, in Tuscany. They begin a pen friendship that lasts 15 years. Then Claretta dies. The world loses an exciting author – and Sarah loses a dear friend. She is left with a shoebox full of letters – and the feeling that Claretta therefore somehow still is there. With the letters in her luggage, she travels to Italy in 2022 to remember her friend – and dares to glimpse into the past.

In a mix of fictional scenes and documentary interviews, the portrait of a fascinating writer unfolds. Despite numerous strokes of fate, Claretta Cerio was independent, passionate and self-determined. It is the story of an exciting contemporary witness who found her own special way of dealing with death.

Cast

Sarah

Romy Amberg

Claretta

Carla Becker

Christina

Ina Meling

as herself

Carol Berenyi

as herself

Silvia Cerio

as herself

Hildi Hadlich

as himself

Giovanni Schettino

as herself

Stefanie Sonnentag

as himself

Vincenzo Sorrentino

as herself

Lorna Hillier