The Girl by the Lake is a 2007 Italian crime-mystery film directed by Andrea Molaioli. The story follows Inspector Giovanni Sanzio, played by Toni Servillo, who is called to investigate the murder of a 16-year-old girl named Luna, whose body was found naked by a lake in a small, picturesque town in Northern Italy.
As the investigation proceeds, Sanzio discovers that everyone in the small community has secrets to hide, and the case becomes more complicated when Luna's father, a wealthy businessman, interferes with the investigation. With the help of his determined assistant, Sanzio delves deeper into the case and uncovers a web of deceit, corruption, and sexual scandals involving the victim and her family.
The film explores themes of human frailty, guilt, and redemption, as the investigation forces everyone involved to confront their deepest fears and motivations. The Girl by the Lake received critical acclaim for its taut direction, atmospheric cinematography, and compelling performances, particularly of Toni Servillo as the troubled Inspector Sanzio. The film was nominated for multiple awards and won several, including the Best Director award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival.
