Victtorio de Sica's SHOESHINE, a Neorealist masterpiece, vividly captures the destitution of many youngsters in the cities of post-World War II Italy. Giuseppe (Rinaldo Smordoni) and Pasquale (Franco Interlenghi), two poor and hungry boys, trade goods on the black market in order to buy food and other items they need. When they're caught trying to sell stolen army material, the boys are sent to prison for their crimes. There, they discover a house of horrors, where corrupt guards open their packages and accept bribes for favors. Giuseppe and Pasquale try to escape, but an unimaginable tragedy awaits them.