Two Women

Plot

The film follows Cesira, a widowed Roman shopkeeper who flees the Allied bombing of Rome during World War II with her sheltered twelve-year-old daughter Rosetta. They travel to Cesira's rural hometown in the Ciociaria region, seeking refuge with relatives and finding temporary peace away from the war's destruction. During their stay, Cesira forms a connection with Michele, a young intellectual who is later killed by German soldiers. As the war progresses and German forces retreat, mother and daughter attempt to return to Rome but are brutally assaulted by Moroccan Goumier soldiers serving in the French army, an event that shatters Rosetta's innocence and forever changes their relationship. The film concludes with their return to a devastated Rome, where Cesira must help her traumatized daughter navigate a world that has been irrevocably altered by the horrors they experienced.

Historical Background

The film was produced in 1960, fifteen years after the end of World War II, at a time when Italy was still grappling with the trauma and legacy of the war. The Italian economic miracle was transforming the country, but memories of wartime suffering remained fresh. The film's depiction of the Marocchinate - the mass rape and atrocities committed by Moroccan Goumier soldiers serving in the French army during the Italian campaign - addressed a painful and often suppressed chapter of Italian history. This period also saw the decline of Italian neorealism as a dominant cinematic movement, with 'Two Women' representing one of its last major expressions. The film emerged during the Cold War era, when European cinema was increasingly competing with Hollywood for international audiences. Its success demonstrated that serious, challenging European films could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success abroad. The early 1960s also marked a period of greater openness in cinema regarding previously taboo subjects, with 'Two Women' pushing boundaries in its depiction of wartime violence and its psychological impact on civilians.

Making Of

Director Vittorio De Sica, a master of Italian neorealism, chose to adapt Alberto Moravia's controversial novel despite its difficult subject matter. The casting of Sophia Loren as Cesira was initially met with skepticism, as she was primarily known for glamorous roles. However, De Sica saw beyond her image and guided her to deliver what many consider her finest performance. During filming, Loren drew on her own wartime experiences growing up in Pozzuoli near Naples, where she had witnessed similar hardships. The production faced numerous challenges, including finding authentic locations that still showed war damage, as much of Italy had been rebuilt. The controversial rape scene was filmed with extreme sensitivity, using shadows, sounds, and facial expressions rather than graphic imagery to convey the horror. Jean-Paul Belmondo, who had recently gained fame in 'Breathless,' worked extensively with a dialect coach to master the Italian dialogue. The film's cinematographer, Robert Krasker, used natural lighting whenever possible to maintain the neorealist aesthetic, while the musical score by Armando Trovajoli incorporated traditional Italian folk melodies to enhance the emotional impact.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, by Robert Krasker (an Oscar winner for 'The Third Man'), masterfully blended neorealist aesthetics with dramatic visual storytelling. Krasker employed natural lighting and authentic locations to maintain the documentary-like quality characteristic of Italian neorealism. The camera work emphasizes the contrast between the urban destruction of Rome and the rural beauty of the Ciociaria region, visually representing the characters' journey from civilization to refuge. The famous assault sequence is shot with remarkable restraint, using shadows, silhouettes, and close-ups of faces rather than explicit imagery to convey the horror. Krasker's use of deep focus allows for complex compositions that show characters within their environment, reinforcing the theme of individuals trapped by circumstances. The cinematography becomes increasingly intimate as the film progresses, with more close-ups of Cesira and Rosetta to emphasize their psychological journey. The visual style evolves from the broader social concerns of early neorealism to a more personal, psychological focus, reflecting the film's thematic emphasis on individual trauma.

Innovations

While not technically innovative in the way of science fiction or experimental films, 'Two Women' achieved significant technical accomplishments in its execution of neorealist principles. The film's sound recording was particularly noteworthy for its use of natural locations and ambient sounds, creating an authentic auditory environment that enhanced the realism. The production team successfully synchronized dialogue with challenging outdoor scenes, a technical feat given the era's recording limitations. The makeup and costume departments achieved remarkable results in aging Sophia Loren and transforming her glamorous image into that of a war-weary mother. The film's editing by Adriana Novelli created a rhythm that balanced the film's dramatic moments with quieter passages, allowing emotional beats to resonate. The production design by Gastone Rinaldi successfully recreated both war-torn Rome and rural Ciociaria, often using actual damaged locations rather than constructed sets. The film's successful blending of professional actors with non-professional locals in smaller roles maintained the neorealist aesthetic while ensuring strong performances.

Music

The musical score by Armando Trovajoli perfectly complements the film's emotional journey, incorporating traditional Italian folk melodies with dramatic orchestral arrangements. Trovajoli, who would become one of Italy's most prolific film composers, created a soundtrack that enhances the narrative without overwhelming it. The main theme, a melancholic melody that recurs throughout the film, represents Cesira's enduring love for her daughter and their shared suffering. The music is particularly effective in scenes of transition, marking the characters' movement from safety to danger and from hope to despair. Trovajoli incorporated authentic folk songs from the Ciociaria region, adding cultural specificity and authenticity to the rural sequences. The score is notably sparse during the film's most harrowing moments, allowing the natural sounds and performances to carry the emotional weight. The soundtrack was released as an album and remains one of Trovajoli's most celebrated works, frequently cited as an example of how film music can enhance narrative without dominating it.

Memorable Scenes

• The bombing of Rome sequence where Cesira and Rosetta flee their apartment building, capturing the chaos and terror of civilian evacuation
• The pastoral scenes in Ciociaria showing temporary peace and Cesira's budding romance with Michele, providing emotional contrast to the surrounding violence
• The brutal assault scene in the church, filmed with remarkable restraint using shadows and sound to convey horror without explicit imagery
• The final scene where Cesira discovers Rosetta has taken another woman's stockings, revealing her daughter's psychological trauma and moral confusion
• The heartbreaking moment when Cesira realizes Rosetta is no longer the innocent child she once was, symbolizing the loss of an entire generation's innocence

What Critics Said

Upon its release, 'Two Women' received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Sophia Loren's transformative performance. Critics praised the film for its raw emotional power and unflinching honesty in depicting wartime atrocities. The New York Times' Bosley Crowther wrote that Loren's performance was 'one of the most stunning and emotionally devastating portrayals ever put on film.' French critics, while noting the film's Italian origins, appreciated its universal themes and artistic merit. Some contemporary reviewers found the film's subject matter disturbing but acknowledged its importance as a work of art. Over the decades, the film's reputation has only grown, with modern critics viewing it as a masterpiece of neorealist cinema. The Criterion Collection's release included essays that positioned the film alongside other great war films for its unique perspective on civilian trauma. Critics have continued to praise De Sica's direction for balancing the film's brutal content with moments of humanity and tenderness. The film is now frequently cited as one of the most important Italian films of the 1960s and a defining work in Sophia Loren's career.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences responded powerfully to 'Two Women,' particularly in Italy where the film resonated with viewers who had lived through the war. The film's emotional intensity and Loren's performance created a deep connection with viewers, leading to strong word-of-mouth and box office success. International audiences, especially in the United States, were moved by the universal themes of maternal love and survival in wartime. The film's controversial content sparked discussions about the depiction of sexual violence in cinema, but most viewers appreciated its artistic treatment of difficult subject matter. Sophia Loren's Oscar win significantly boosted the film's profile and attracted audiences who might not typically seek out foreign films. The movie's success established Loren as an international star and led to increased interest in Italian cinema worldwide. Over the years, the film has maintained its emotional impact on new generations of viewers, with many considering it one of the most powerful war films ever made. The film's availability through home video and streaming services has allowed it to continue finding audiences who appreciate its artistic merit and emotional depth.

You Might Also Like