A Chance to Live

6/1/2025

With the lives of so many young Italian boys left in ruins as the Allies displaced the Fascists on their way towards Rome, this short feature takes a look at how the church, the US army and a fair degree of charitable effort was put into the creation of what were called the “Boys Republic”. One of four of these institutions was centred near the ancient town of Santa Marinella where we are introduced to the headstrong young Carlo who has spent most of his life scavenging or living off the largesse of the well meaning but over-stretched GIs he encountered. This isn’t a work shy individual, but with a paucity of opportunity and money, he finds this community offers him stability, a bed, a purpose and food in his belly. Though sponsored by the church, it is entirely left to the population of b