Born on the 1st of January 1900 in a poor family in rural Sicily, Modesta has pursued happiness since her childhood without falling victim to the constraints of society. After a tragic event that takes her away from her family, Modesta is welcomed into a monastery, where she becomes the Mother Superior’s protégé thanks to her intelligence and stubbornness. Later, she arrives at the villa belonging to the Princess of Brandiforti, where she makes herself indispensable. This relentless process of emancipation goes along with a journey of personal growth and sexual awakening, which leads her to discover and claim the right to pleasure and happiness.
Unfortunately the movie The Art of Joy is not yet available on HBO Max.
| Directing | Valeria Golino | Director |
| Crew | Maria Vittoria Piccirillo | Video Assist Operator |
| Directing | Paola Bonelli | Script Supervisor |
| Directing | Nicolangelo Gelormini | Director |
| Production | Lino Parrino | Production Secretary |
| Sound | Emanuele Cecere | Sound Director |
| Directing | Cristiana Santaera | Script Supervisor |
| Camera | Nicola De Pinto | Camera Technician |
| Camera | Roberto Luzzi | Camera Operator |
| Camera | Luigi Andrei | Camera Operator |
| Camera | Stefano D'Angelo | Camera Trainee |
| Camera | Alessandro Borgia | Camera Trainee |
| Sound | Francesco Sabez | Sound Recordist |
| Camera | Antonio Paolucci | Digital Imaging Technician |
| Sound | Vittoria Tarenzi | Sound Assistant |
| Art | Luca Merlini | Art Designer |
| Crew | Simona Taormina | Actor's Assistant |
| Production | Edoardo Garofalo | Data Management Technician |
| Camera | Raffaele Massa | Camera Operator |
| Directing | Edoardo Francesco Marini | Assistant Director |
| Camera | Fabio Cianchetti | Director of Photography |
| Production | Laura Paciotta | Data Management Technician |
| Editing | Giogiò Franchini | Editor |
| Writing | Goliarda Sapienza | Novel |
| Writing | Valeria Golino | Screenplay |
