MUBI

It’s the day of the first public meeting between Hitler and Mussolini, and all of Italy is out on the streets to witness this historic event, well almost everybody. Antonietta (Sophia Loren) a proud fascist and mother of six children is stuck at home with her daily chores and her monotonous role as a house-wife. Also not attending is the gentle Gabriele (Marcello Mastroianni) who lost his job as a radio announcer due to his homosexuality and anti-fascist stand. A chance meeting brings the two together for the duration of this one afternoon. To the sound of the Horst-Wessel Song and fascist speeches coming from the radio, the two form a special bond and finally give themselves over to each other, body and soul.
A truly touching and wonderful film, so beautiful in it’s simplicity with great acting and wonderful photography (5/5)