Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Greta Zuccheri Montanari | ... | Martina |
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Claudio Casadio | ... | Armando |
Alba Rohrwacher | ... | Beniamina | |
Maya Sansa | ... | Lena | |
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Vito | ... | Signor Bugamelli (as Stefano 'Vito' Bicocchi) |
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Bernardo Bolognesi | ... | Partigiano Gianni |
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Stefano Croci | ... | Dino |
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Zoello Gilli | ... | Dante |
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Francesca Gnech | ... | Cielia |
Timo Jacobs | ... | Ufficiale medico SS | |
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Giovanni Macchiavelli | ... | Guglielmo Bugamelli |
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Germano Maccioni | ... | Don Ubaldo Marchioni |
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Eleonora Mazzoni | ... | Signora Bugamelli |
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Thaddäus Meilinger | ... | Ufficiale SS |
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Francesco Modugno | ... | Antonio |
Winter 1943. Martina is small child, who stopped talking since the death of her infant brother some years before. She lives in a rural area of central Italy. Her mother is pregnant again and Martina lives for the arrival of her new brother. Meanwhile, the war is getting closer and closer, forcing the people of the village to tread a difficult path, torn between the partisan brigades and the Nazi Army. On practically the same day as the birth of Martina's brother, the SS start a massive roundup of civilians in the area, an infamous event that will come to be known as the Marzabotto massacre during which more than 770 people were killed in houses, cemeteries and churches. Written by Palm Springs Internation Film Festival
This movie is mostly seen through the eyes of the young girl, Martina, who along with the other children provides a depth of innocence which is the counterpoint to the ice-cold brutality of an invading army. The various viewpoints and behaviour of the diverse groups: villagers - old and young; partisans living in the woods;the clergy; the invading forces with their various levels of humanity from ruthless soldiers whose souls are dead to those who can't help but feel compassion for the people they are invading, never seem clichéd even though they may be in so many war movies. This is simply humanity at war, portrayed clearly and credibly without the slightest pretence. The cinematography, direction and acting are supremely natural, creating a fine, memorable movie.