IFF Film Review: "Two Women" ("La ciociara") (1960).

"Suddenly... Love Becomes Lust... Innocence becomes shame... As two women are trapped by violent passion and unforgettable terror!" This is Two Women (La ciociara). This Italian war drama film directed by Vittorio De Sica, adapted by De Sica and Cesare Zavattini, and based on the novel of the same name by Alberto Moravia. During World War II, Italian widow Cesira must leave Rome with her devout daughter when the city comes under attack by Allied forces. The pair flee to a small village, where they meet -- and both fall for -- the charming Michele. But the war uproots the life of mother and daughter once again when soldiers attack the duo and subject them to sexual assault. Their bond is strained as they struggle to overcome the tragedy that changes them both forever.

Producer Carlo Ponti bought the film rights to Moravia's 1957 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, along with Marcello Girosi, for a reported US$100,000. The film had Sophia Loren and Anna Magnani attached to star, George Cukor was hired to directed and was going to be financed by Paramount. Cukor was going to direct as part of a two-picture deal with Ponti, the other one being Heller in Pink Tights (1960). The film was going to be shot as part of a six-picture deal between Ponti and Paramount. However, Cukor and Paramount dropped out. De Sica was then hired to direct. Magnani was originally cast as the mother and Lorean as the daughter, but was ultimately replaced by Loren due to illness and not want to play the role. It was Magnani herself who suggested Loren for the role, suggesting to director De Sica that if Loren (who was twenty-five years old at the time) would not mind playing a mother with an adolescent daughter, then the role should go to her. However, De Sica says it was his decision for Loren to play Magnani's role and cast a younger performer as the daughter. Ponti raised money from France and Italy. French investment was conditional upon a French star being used, which lead to the casting of Jean-Paul Belmondo, who had leapt to international fame in Breathless (1960). Belmondo's voice was dubbed into Italian. Principal photography took place in Fondi, Formia, Latina, Rome, Saracinesco, Sermoneta and Vallecorsa, Lazio, Italy

The film stars Loren, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Eleonora Brown, Raf Vallone, Andrea Checchi and Pupella Maggio. With this film, I believe this is where the world saw beyond Loren's beauty to her extraordinary talents. Loren shines in nearly every frame with her interpretation of Rosetta, a fierce and brave woman in the midst of war. 

The story of the film is simple but the film isn't simple at all. I love that at its heart it is a film about the journey and struggle of a woman and her relationship with her daughter. If there ever was a picture whose impact left one realizing that women who are tortured are the same in any country - this is the film.

Simon says Two Women (La ciociara) receives:

Also, see my IFF review for Marriage Italian Style (Matrimonio all'italiana).