Stolen Children MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

This recipient of the Felix Award for Best European Film of 1992 is a moving, starkly realistic drama. A young Italian soldier befriends a brother and sister separated from their parents. Rosetta, an 11-year-old girl, has been supporting her mother and 9-year-old brother, Luciano, as a child prostitute. When the authorities arrest the mother for allowing this, they decide that Rosetta and Luciano must be placed in a home for abandoned children. A young Italian military man, Antonio, is assigned the task of escorting the two to a home in Rome. Unfortunately, upon arrival they are told the home won't take the children. The trio then embarks on a long journey to the island of Sicily where another home, hopefully, will accept the children. Rosetta and Luciano are sad children, weary from their cares and misfortunes. Rosetta is strong-willed, and Luciano worldly wise beyond his years. Their journey is filled with both traumatic and happy events and they are drawn together by their shared experiences. In keeping with its melancholy mood, the story ends on a sad note.

Refreshingly, Antonio is a man of good upbringing, sensitivity and admirable character. He develops a heartfelt desire to help the children and treats them to a stay in a nice hotel, a visit to his sister's home and some fun times on the Sicilian beach. At no time does he mistreat or harass the children, although Rosetta threatens to accuse him of sexual mistreatment. In one unfortunate scene, Luciano tells a crude, sexual joke with obscenities. A few other obscenities are blurted out during intense incidents in the story. Also, photos of women with bare breasts are displayed on the wall of a soldier's bathroom. In a bedroom scene, a man takes hold of Rosetta's hand, implying that sex will follow. Ultimately, STOLEN CHILDREN is a story of love and concern, but spoiled by some obscenities and nudity often present in European films.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Co., 10203 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067-6403