The White Line (1950)
"Cuori senza frontiere" (original title)

Following World War II, the Allies designate that an unidentified town in the Trieste area as being partly Yugoslavian and partly Italian. A white line of demarcation splits the town in ... See full summary »

Director:

Luigi Zampa

Writers:

Clare Catalano, Piero Tellini (screenplay),

Stars:

Gina Lollobrigida, Raf Vallone, Erno Crisa

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gina Lollobrigida	...	Donata Sebastian
Raf Vallone	...	Domenico
Erno Crisa	...	Stefano
Cesco Baseggio	...	Giovanni Sebastian
Enzo Staiola	...	Pasqualino Sebastian
Ernesto Almirante	...	The Grandfather
Gino Cavalieri	...	The Priest
Fabio Neri	...	Gaspare
Mario Sestan	...	Lampadina
Antonio Catania	...	Acquasanta
Giordano Cesini	...	Cacciavitte
Callisto Cosulich	...	Soviet Officer
Tullio Kezich	...	Yugoslav Lieutenant
Piero Grego	...	US Army Sergeant
Gianni Cavalieri	...	Pentecoste

Storyline

Following World War II, the Allies designate that an unidentified town in the Trieste area as being partly Yugoslavian and partly Italian. A white line of demarcation splits the town in half and the townspeople are given just a short time to decides on which side of the line they will live. This leads to the dividing of homes, friends, families and the church and tensions run high.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

4 December 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

The White Line

Filming Locations:

Santa Croce, Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

User Reviews

A village divided.

THE WHITE LINE ("Cuori senza frontiere") is a minor classic of neorealism which takes place in the year 1947 when a small village on the Yugoslav border near Trieste is cut in half by a white chalk line and a barrier to designate the new frontier decided upon by the victorious giants of World War II. The original title means "Hearts without Borders". All this turns friend against friend, brother against brother. The film is a kind of parable for the political divisions that so sadly persist to our day. The saddest commentary made by the film deals with the impact the forced division has upon the children of the area, playmates who learn hatred that leads to violence. The adult performers are Gina Lollobrigida and Raf Vallone. The large cast of children includes the remarkable Enzo Staiola, the wonderful kid known to us from De Sica's BICYCLE THIEF. Luigi Zampa, who gave us the memorable TO LIVE IN PEACE, directed.