War Cellar (2019)

The year is 1944, and Mussolini-with the aid of Hitler-has been put back into power after a coup d'état. Mussolini wants revenge against those who were responsible in orchestrating this plan, and that includes the Royal Family. The story takes place in occupied Rome, when a German attack on the city forces WILLIAM, a wounded American soldier in his early 20s, to break away from his platoon and seek shelter in a cellar. There, William realizes that he is not alone. He is accompanied by Lucrezia, an Italian woman in her early 30s, who happens to be the daughter of the King of Italy. Both of these characters have a unique background. William, distressed from the horrific events of the war is just trying to make it out of the war. Lucrezia is looking to reunite with her children who are being secretly protected by the Pope. Both of these characters have one motive: to survive. The first encounter between these two is rather unwelcoming. Despite their initial lack of trust for one another, the two encounter a major problem. The cellar is caved in and supplies are running low. Given the language barrier, William and Lucrezia must find a way to build trust in one another in order to survive. It is through this building of trust that it is revealed that both have one thing in common and that is the guilt bearing on their souls.