La strada

A young girl, Gelsomina, is sold by her mother to a traveling showman, Zampano, for a small sum of money and some food. Zampano exhibits his strength by breaking a chain wrapped around his chest and performs in village squares, relying on the kindness of small crowds for his livelihood. He mistreats Gelsomina, forcing her to learn a drum roll for his introduction, and punishes her when she tries to escape. The duo joins a small circus, where they meet a tightrope walker who encourages Gelsomina to reevaluate her circumstances.