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The Children's Train: a look back at the true story of the Netflix film

It’s a poignant film that was released on Netflix this Wednesday, December 4. The children's traina new Italian production from Netflix, takes us to the aftermath of the Second World War. A moving and dramatic film, adapted from a best-selling novel, but also inspired by true events. A look back at the true story that inspired the film.

After the Italian series Love deceived, Lidia rulesor more recently AdorationNetflix reveals The children's trainan Italian drama film written and directed by Cristina Comencini (The beast in the heart, The happiest day of my life). If it's time for Christmas films to watch with the family, get ready: the Netflix film promises to be decidedly sad and full of emotions…

The feature film by Cristina Comencini begins at the end of the 1940s, just after the end of the Second World War. We follow Antonietta (Serena Rossi), a mother with only one wish: to ensure, by all means, that her son Amerigo (Christian Cervone) is promised a better life, far from extreme poverty. from Naples. Even though we are in a post-war historical context, where all of Italy must ensure economic and industrial reconstruction, the southern region is the most affected. Antonietta's plan is simple: send her seven-year-old son to the north of the country, who, like many Neapolitan children, will take the 'happiness trains', in search of a new host family. and above all a new life…

The Children's Train: a film based on a novel and a true story

First of all, let us clarify that initially, The children's train is the title of the novel by Viola Ardone, published in 2019. The book and its adaptation by Netflix therefore tell the same true story: that of the trains of happiness, ''a social initiative promoted by the Italian Communist Party in the post-war period''. Concretely, between 1945, the year of the end of the Second World War, and 1947, the Italian Communist Party (PCI), supported by the Union of Women in Italy, decides to send more than 70,000 Italian children to the north of the country.

Indeed, from 1943, as part of the Italian campaign, a military operation aimed at liberating the country from fascism established by Mussolini, the Allies gradually gained ground. The most affected part is the Nooni.e. all of the peninsular and island regions of the south, where cities like Naples, Palermo and Bari suffered significant destruction due to Anglo-American bombings. Families in southern Italy, a historically poor region even before the start of the war, were therefore the most affected by the Allies' advancement.

To overcome economic, human and social precariousness, tens of thousands of children from the south are sent north to host families. Having to separate from their families, at least for a few months, the children receive food, care, as well as a more stable family environment.

Based on real events and the eponymous novel by Viola Ardone, the poignant feature film The children's train will be particularly interested in young Amerigo (Christian Cervone), leaving Naples for the first time in his life to spend the winter in the north with Derna (Barbara Ronchi). Emerging from the poverty he has always known, the young boy faces a new life, even discovering an unsuspected passion for the violin. Will he one day find his mother and his native Naples?

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The children's traina historical and dramatic film directed by Cristina Comencini, can be seen now on Netflix.

Sources : AlloCiné, Télé-Leisure

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