Mamma Roma (1962)

Mamma Roma, a former streetwalker of considerable grit and determination, dares to dream of a respectable life within the vibrant heart of Rome. Abandoning her ignominious past and the clutches of her repugnant pimp and ex-lover, Carmine, she strives to construct a new existence, fueled by hard-earned savings and a fierce yearning for dignity. With a humble vegetable stall as her refuge and a modest apartment as her castle, Mamma Roma embarks on this daring new chapter, her spirit as rich and colorful as the Roma streets she once roamed. Her greatest treasure, however, is her sixteen-year-old son Ettore - a rural-raised youth, untainted by the harsh realities of the world his mother has vowed to leave behind. Ettore, reunited with his mother, is initially lost in the sprawling cityscape, his naive heart drawn to the idle thrills of adolescence. Despite his reluctance to embrace the disciplines of work and study, Mamma Roma pours her soul into guiding him towards an honest life, her hopes for him as abundant as the fruits of her humble stall. But whispered threats of extortion and the ominous shadow of exposure loom over Mamma Roma's hard-fought tranquility. Her past, a relentless specter, threatens to consume her newfound life and jeopardize her son's innocent world. As Mamma Roma battles to shield Ettore from the snares that once ensnared her, the question lingers - can a single mother's love and resolve alone protect her son from the tumultuous undercurrents of a city that once defined her own youth? In the bustling streets of Rome, a woman's fight for redemption and a boy's journey into manhood intertwine, painting a poignant portrait of love, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for a better life in 'Mamma Roma'.

Mamma Roma is a drama movie featuring Anna Magnani.

Mamma Roma is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.