Delitto d'amore (1974)

Nullo Bronzi and Carmela Santoro work at the same factory near Milan. On top of the harsh life in the factory are the even harsher conditions in which Carmela’s family lives. The two fall in love and become engaged, but their relationship brings out their opposing outlooks: Nullo’s, which is faithless, anarchic, and libertarian, and Carmela’s, shaped by her southern origins, constrained by her family—especially her backward and violent brother—and by a superstitious religiosity. Through ups and downs, jealousies, petty acts of spite, and secret meetings to make love, they eventually decide to marry. However, during a shift at work, Carmela falls ill because of the chemical fumes the workers are forced to breathe. Nullo loses touch with Carmela; only much later does he discover that she had been hospitalized for a long time and then discharged because there is no chance of her recovery. Carmela’s own brother asks Nullo to come to his sister’s bedside. The two marry in extremis in a civil ceremony; shortly afterward, Carmela dies. In the final scene, a large demonstration takes place outside the factory: the workers are demanding a healthier workplace. Nullo gets past the picket line and goes into the factory. A gunshot is heard.