The Children's Train

In 1946, Antonietta, an impoverished single mother, decides to send her son Amerigo away to northern Italy. She hopes to provide him with a better life through the treni della felicità initiative despite the challenges they face after World War II.

Initially, Amerigo refuses to leave Naples but changes his mind after being caught selling white-painted rats for furs. His mother's boyfriend's actions force him to reconsider his escape from their difficult life.

At the train station, an elderly woman instills fear in the children and their parents, claiming they will be sent to Siberia and eaten by cannibals. However, PCI representatives counter her claims, emphasizing the dire situations the children face in the south.

Upon arriving in Modena, the children are quickly picked up by their foster families. Amerigo is the last to be taken in, reluctantly accepted by Derna, a former partisan who lives alone after losing her boyfriend.

Derna introduces Amerigo to her brother Alcide and his three sons, who begin teaching him various skills. Notably, Alcide introduces him to the violin, which ignites a newfound passion in Amerigo.

As Amerigo adapts to his new life, he faces jealousy from Lucio, Alcide's son, who resents the attention Amerigo receives. This conflict creates tension within the household and complicates Amerigo's adjustment.

When invited to bake bread with Alcide's family, Amerigo is frightened by the old woman's warning and hides in the woods. Only after Derna promises he can go home after the wheat harvest does he begin to open up to her.

At school, Amerigo faces bullying from classmates who disparage him for being a southerner. Despite the hostility, Lucio reluctantly defends him, leading to an evolving friendship between the two.

During a May Day festival, Lucio provokes Amerigo by taunting him about his mother. In a moment of anger, Amerigo retaliates, resulting in a fight before he runs away, further complicating their relationship.

After witnessing Derna being mistreated by a chauvinist colleague, Amerigo draws parallels between her and his mother. This emotional moment strengthens their bond as he comforts her in her time of need.

Lucio seeks Amerigo's help to locate Rossana, a homesick girl who has run away. They find her by the railway tracks and resolve her situation, leading to a newfound camaraderie among the boys.

As the harvest ends, Amerigo and the other children are sent home. Amerigo’s reunion with his mother is cold, and she cynically tells him he is destined for a life of poverty, hinting at her unresolved feelings.

Feeling abandoned, Amerigo learns that his mother has hidden gifts and messages from Derna. This revelation about his mother's actions fuels a growing resentment between mother and son.

Heartbroken by further revelations, Amerigo decides to run away. He takes a train back to Modena, desperately seeking the warmth and acceptance he found with Derna.

Amerigo arrives in Modena and is tearfully reunited with Derna. This reunion underscores the powerful bond they forged during his stay, signifying love and acceptance that had been missing in his life.

In 1994, Amerigo, now a successful violinist, learns of his mother Antonietta's death. Driven by emotions, he returns to Naples, uncovering his old violin that she had redeemed, leading him to reflect on his past.

A voiceover reveals a poignant truth: Antonietta had allowed Amerigo to leave, demonstrating that love often means letting go. This realization casts a different light on their complicated relationship.