Sciuscià

Orphan Pasquale and his friend Giuseppe make a living in the streets of Rome as shoe cleaners and dream of owning their own horse. During their attempts to collect the necessary money, they get caught up in a theft. When one of the duo is forced by the police to betray the other, tragedy is just around the corner. Extraordinarily tight in its description of milieu, character and post-war atmosphere, the film is a key work of Italian neorealism that connects its accusation of brutality towards the adult world with a plea for humanity and hope. In 1948, SCIUSCIÀ was the first film to be awarded the Oscar in the newly created category of Best International Film. (hjf)