La febbre (2005)

Mario Bettini is a thirty-year-old provincial man full of ideas and enthusiasm. Together with his friends, he plans to open a new, modern nightclub, the “Mazdepaz.” One day, a letter arrives offering him a job at the town hall as a surveyor: it was what his late father and his mother, Maddalena, with whom Mario still lives, had dearly hoped for. In his first days at the town hall, Mario throws himself into the work with enthusiasm, eager to get things done and hopeful that he will succeed. He does not give up on the project with his friends; in fact, he works hard to obtain all the permits quickly, thanks to his presence in the technical offices. However, Mario also learns to contend with people’s dislike, especially that of a senior town-hall official, his superior, who tries to humiliate him rather than praise his abilities. During this period, Mario also meets the woman he will love, Linda, a beautiful university student who will pull him out of a monotonous, repetitive life. Things also get worse at home with his mother, who disapproves of the relationship. The nightclub project fares no better: it cannot open because of obstacles put in its way by his superior, and Mario ends up arguing with his friends as well. The final blow comes when he is transferred to oversee work at the cemetery. In the end, Linda too has to leave after winning a scholarship in the United States. At odds with the whole world, Mario decides to live with a friend and presses ahead with his plan to open the club. A visit from the President of the Republic, who wants to tour the cemetery, comes to resolve the problem. Mario thus becomes essential to ensuring the presidential visit goes well and, in a “give-and-take” arrangement, finally obtains the permits he had hoped for. Mario dreams of welcoming the President of the Republic to his club, and gives back his identity card because he does not want to be a citizen, does not want to be Italian, and does not want to be anyone other than Mario. He has always dreamed of doing something for society and for others, but bureaucracy and the powerful have always prevented him. In the end, Mario resigns and chooses a new life, finding love again.