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 |
| Directing | Nicolangelo Gelormini | Director |
| Camera | Nicola De Pinto | Camera Technician |
| Camera | Alessandro Borgia | Camera Trainee |
| Crew | Maria Vittoria Piccirillo | Video Assist Operator |
| Directing | Cristiana Santaera | Script Supervisor |
| Directing | Paola Bonelli | Script Supervisor |
| Camera | Raffaele Massa | Camera Operator |
| Camera | Roberto Luzzi | Camera Operator |
| Camera | Luigi Andrei | Camera Operator |
| Camera | Antonio Paolucci | Digital Imaging Technician |
| Production | Laura Paciotta | Data Management Technician |
| Production | Edoardo Garofalo | Data Management Technician |
| Directing | Edoardo Francesco Marini | Assistant Director |
| Crew | Simona Taormina | Actor's Assistant |
| Production | Lino Parrino | Production Secretary |
| Sound | Emanuele Cecere | Sound Director |
| Sound | Francesco Sabez | Sound Recordist |
| Sound | Vittoria Tarenzi | Sound Assistant |
| Camera | Fabio Cianchetti | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Stefano D'Angelo | Camera Trainee |
| Art | Luca Merlini | Art Designer |
| Editing | Giogiò Franchini | Editor |
| Writing | Goliarda Sapienza | Novel |
| Writing | Valeria Golino | Screenplay |
