Two Women 2017

In the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, widow Cesira (Lina Lollobrigida) and her deeply devout 12-year-old daughter, Rosetta (Sylvie Testud), escape their war-ravaged house in Rome to the serene countryside of Ciociaria, Cesira’s birthplace. As they prepare for this journey, Cesira forms a temporary alliance with Giovanni (Vittorio Gassman), a local coal merchant who commits to watching over her shop while they are away. This brief pause from the chaos allows for a fleeting sense of normalcy before the mother-daughter pair set off on their dangerous adventure.

Upon arriving in Ciociaria, Cesira attracts the interest of Michele (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a young intellectual with strong communist ideals. Rosetta is captivated by Michele’s wisdom and guidance, viewing him as a paternal figure and developing a profound bond with him. However, their seemingly peaceful existence is shattered when Michele is abducted by German soldiers and forced to navigate the hazardous landscape as a guide.

As the Allies set Rome free in June 1944, Cesira and Rosetta choose to return to their home, but their journey turns horrific when they are viciously assaulted inside a church by Moroccan Goumiers – soldiers fighting with the Allied forces. This traumatic occurrence devastates Rosetta’s innocence, leaving her emotionally unreachable and distanced from her mother.

Later, as they seek refuge in a nearby village, Rosetta mysteriously disappears one night, plunging Cesira into despair. Fearing that her daughter has gone in search of Michele, Cesira’s heart sinks further when she learns that Michele had been murdered by the Germans. Rosetta eventually returns, having spent time with an older boy who bestowed upon her silk stockings – a stark symbol of her sudden maturity despite her tender age. Cesira’s anger and disappointment are tangible as she reprimands Rosetta, but her daughter remains emotionally numb. It is only when Cesira divulges Michele’s tragic demise that the dam breaks, and Rosetta’s tears cascade, revealing the innocence of the child she had once been. The film closes with a touching portrayal of maternal love as Cesira cradles her wounded daughter, underscoring the deep bond they share amidst the horrors they’ve endured.