Miele (film)

Miele (Italian for "Honey") is a 2013 Italian drama film directed by Valeria Golino. It is Golino's directorial debut. The film stars Jasmine Trinca as Irene, also known as "Miele," who travels around Italy helping terminally ill people end their lives. She procures barbiturates, disguised as cough syrup, and provides them to individuals who have decided to die, assisting them with the process.

Irene justifies her actions as an act of compassion, relieving unbearable suffering. However, her carefully constructed world begins to crumble when she discovers that one of her clients, Mr. Grimaldi, is not terminally ill, but simply deeply depressed and seeking to end his life due to personal issues. This forces Irene to confront the ethical and moral implications of her actions and question the boundaries she has drawn.

The film explores themes of euthanasia, assisted suicide, morality, compassion, and the right to die. It received positive reviews, particularly for Trinca's performance and Golino's sensitive handling of a complex subject. It premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section and won a commendation from the Ecumenical Jury.