Malena is a film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore and is set in fascist Italy during World War II. It follows the life of the beautiful Malena (Monica Bellucci) as seen through the eyes of the teenage boy Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro). Malena, whose husband is off fighting in the war, goes about town seemingly unaware of the admiring glances she constantly receives from the local men. Renato becomes particularly enchanted with Malena and even takes to spying on her through the window in her basement apartment. When Malena's husband dies, the newly single woman finds herself the center of town gossip. Lustful men and jealous women accuse Malena of scandalous behavior. Renato, who sees her as a perfect woman, struggles to balance his fantasies with what he has witnessed and heard about Malena. Meanwhile, Malena must survive the torture of the town gossips and find her place in a world that is seemingly full of enemies.moreless
