RITA LEVI-MONTALCINI

In 1986, neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini receives the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Yet behind the prestigious award lies a deep sense of dissatisfaction: her discovery, revolutionary from a scientific point of view, has not yet found a concrete clinical application.

Back in Italy, during a concert by young musicians in Turin, Rita witnesses the sudden illness of the young violinist Elena Capriotti, who is struck by an abrupt loss of vision. Moved by her story, Rita decides to intervene and entrusts the girl to the care of ophthalmologist Poli-Richter and his promising student Lamberti. The diagnosis is devastating: a rare corneal neuropathy is progressively damaging Elena’s eyesight, threatening to lead to total blindness.

Overwhelmed by letters from patients and families asking her for miracles, Rita feels powerless, until an intuition inspired by a lesson from her mentor Giuseppe Levi drives her back to the laboratory, alongside her colleagues Franco and Lamberti. The path of experimentation leads to a possible treatment: NGF-based eye drops.

As Elena prepares for an irreversible operation, Rita manages to persuade the head physician to postpone the surgery and attempt a compassionate treatment. The result is astonishing: the young violinist’s sight is saved, along with her passion for music.

Sitting in the audience at Elena’s final audition, Rita finally rediscovers the full meaning of her research: to transform knowledge into care, and science into hope.