Two Women

Set during World War II in Italy, the narrative unfolds against bombings, occupation, and shifting fronts. The Allies’ advance and the 1944 invasion frame the characters’ return toward Rome. The period is marked by civilian hardship, moral ambiguity born of survival, and violence that war imposes on ordinary people.

The story begins in Rome during World War II, a city under air raids and military strain. Cesira and Rosetta flee to Ciociaria, a rugged rural province in central Italy, seeking safety from the bombed capital. The countryside contrasts with the ruined urban landscape, highlighting displacement and the precariousness of civilian life.

💔 War Trauma

The film centers on the lasting psychological scars of war as Cesira and Rosetta endure violence, fear, and loss. Traumatic events alter their relationship and Rosetta’s sense of safety and innocence. The narrative shows how trauma extends beyond the battlefield into daily life.

👩‍👧 Motherhood

Cesira’s maternal drive to protect her daughter drives every decision, even when it requires morally gray compromises. The bond between mother and daughter is tested by displacement, threat, and sexual violence. The film explores what a mother will endure to keep her child alive.

🌄 Displacement

Fleeing from Rome to Ciociaria, the characters live between two worlds, never fully at home in either. The journey exposes civilians to danger, rumor, and the fragility of safety during wartime. The landscape mirrors the inner churn of a family divided by conflict.