Cristina Comencini’s film, based on the book Il treno dei bambini by Viola Ardone, brings to light a forgotten story of the post-war period, when tens of thousands of poverty-stricken children from Naples and other cities in central and southern Italy were taken in by peasant families from Emilia. This story is that of Amerigo (Christian Cervone), his two mothers and the irreparable fractures that people suffer in war.
This story begins in Naples, represented by one of its most iconic areas, piazza del Gesù in the historic centre. Locations also included Salerno, specifically the upper part of its oldest nucleus: via Tasso: the city was recreated in the post-war period, making a leap back in time of almost 80 years with posters commemorating the newly established republic following the institutional referendum, shops with signs of ancient trades, wooden shacks and extras in period costumes. Filming also took place in Nocera Inferiore (Salerno) at the historic former Tofano barracks.
The story continues in Emilia, where locations included the Reggio Emilia plain, in particular Poviglio (Reggio Emilia), and the Parma plain, including San Girolamo di Guastalla and Roccabianca (Parma)
Shooting continued in Tuscany for two weeks in November - December 2023. In particular, scenes were filmed in Pistoia, where the crew and cast occupied the historic centre, the building known as "cathedral" in via Pertini and the nearby depot of historic rolling stock of the Fondazione FS. The "Terzilio Bizzarri" gym in via Bindi in Monteoliveto park was a location for two days. Further south, shooting continued in Val d'Orcia: in the municipality of Montalcino on the old railway line between the stations of San Giovanni d'Asso, Monte Amiata and Sant'Angelo Cinigiano.
Locations in Turin included piazza Castello and the teatro Regio.
Cristina Comencini’s film, based on the book Il treno dei bambini by Viola Ardone, brings to light a forgotten story of the post-war period, when tens of thousands of poverty-stricken children from Naples and other cities in central and southern Italy were taken in by peasant families from Emilia. This story is that of Amerigo (Christian Cervone), his two mothers and the irreparable fractures that people suffer in war.
This story begins in Naples, represented by one of its most iconic areas, piazza del Gesù in the historic centre. Locations also included Salerno, specifically the upper part of its oldest nucleus: via Tasso: the city was recreated in the post-war period, making a leap back in time of almost 80 years with posters commemorating the newly established republic following the institutional referendum, shops with signs of ancient trades, wooden shacks and extras in period costumes. Filming also took place in Nocera Inferiore (Salerno) at the historic former Tofano barracks.
The story continues in Emilia, where locations included the Reggio Emilia plain, in particular Poviglio (Reggio Emilia), and the Parma plain, including San Girolamo di Guastalla and Roccabianca (Parma)
Shooting continued in Tuscany for two weeks in November - December 2023. In particular, scenes were filmed in Pistoia, where the crew and cast occupied the historic centre, the building known as "cathedral" in via Pertini and the nearby depot of historic rolling stock of the Fondazione FS. The "Terzilio Bizzarri" gym in via Bindi in Monteoliveto park was a location for two days. Further south, shooting continued in Val d'Orcia: in the municipality of Montalcino on the old railway line between the stations of San Giovanni d'Asso, Monte Amiata and Sant'Angelo Cinigiano.
Locations in Turin included piazza Castello and the teatro Regio.
1946. Eight-year-old Amerigo has never left Naples nor his mother Antonietta. His world, one of city streets and poverty, is about to change. Boarding a "train of happiness", he spends the winter in the north, where a young woman, Derna, welcomes him in to take care of him. At her side, Amerigo acquires an awareness that leads him to a painful choice that will change his life forever. It will take him years to discover the truth: those who love you do not hold you back, but let you go. A journey through the poverty, and the generosity of post-war Italy, seen through the eyes of a child torn between two mothers.
