The Stolen Children

Rosetta is an 11-year-old who appears cynical, rebellious, and manipulative, shaped by a harsh upbringing. Her sharp tongue and quick wit mask underlying vulnerability and a longing for security and belonging. She tests boundaries with adults while seeking connection with the stranger who protects her.

Luciano is a sickly, quiet 9-year-old who rarely speaks and relies on others for care. His fragility makes him dependent yet perceptive, and he forms a close bond with Antonio during the journey. His vulnerability underscores the human cost of institutional abandonment.

Antonio is a rookie carabiniere assigned to escort the children, initially bound by rules and duty. As the journey unfolds, he discovers genuine compassion and a protective instinct that overrides procedural concerns. His growth becomes the emotional core of the film.

Grignani is the older carabiniere who ultimately abandons Antonio in Bologna, reflecting a divide between strict duty and human empathy. His actions reveal the fragility of authority and the consequences of following orders without considering people involved. His absence complicates the mission and forces Antonio to improvise.

Rosetta and Luciano's mother is unemployed and has forced her daughter into prostitution, illustrating the socioeconomic pressures surrounding the children. She is arrested during the authorities' raid, revealing the system's harsh reach. Her situation helps frame the children's precarious existence.

The Maresciallo is the higher-ranked figure in the escort pair, representing formal discipline and institutional limits. He embodies the official side of the mission, whose actions and decisions influence the course of the journey.