Sophia Loren stars as Cesira, a devoted mother and a successful small business owner, in this Vittorio De Sica's TWO WOMEN, a dramatic adaptation of Alberto Moravia's touching novel, CESIRA. When the Allies begin bombing Mussolini's Rome, Cesira and her 12-year-old daughter, Rosetta (Eleonara Brown), travel by train and foot to the countryside where Cesira was born. The two women find food and shelter with other fugitives, and stand witness to some of the horrors of war. After the Allies land and head North from Rome, Cesira and Rosetta begin the long walk home. Resting inside of a Church, mother and daughter are discovered and gang raped by a cruel band of soldiers. Rosetta is traumatized, and temporarily becomes mute. Recovering from her initial shock, Rosetta displays a hardened licentious persona. But when Cesira informs Rosetta that a boy she adored has been killed, Rosetta's true feelings come to the surface in an outpouring of grief. Both Loren and Brown turn in wonderful performances as they struggle to survive and maintain their love for each other.

• Cairo International Film Festival 2004 (Cairo, Egypt)
• Cannes Film Festival 1961 (Cannes, France)