Lina Wertmuller

Young Miluzza is an innocent girl, unsure of the ways of the world. As she matures, the men in her small town find her a potent object of sexual desire. In fact, many feel she is as approachable and accessible as her mother, the town whore. Though married, Miluzza's mother takes many lovers. Her husband merely goes about his business, convinced that one day his wife will come to her senses. When tragedy strikes, Miluzza is left all alone. While hiding from the Germans during the war, she stumbles across Pietro, a wounded soldier. He takes Miluzza back to his home, where the two hope to find some manner of happiness.

Italy in the 30s. Tonino, a sad faced, freckled peasant, comes to Rome to kill Mussolini. He has anarchist connections, and his contact in Rome is Salome, a lively flapper and popular professional at the bordello where she lives. She introduces him as her cousin, giving him access to the brothel, and she helps him prepare for the assassination, scheduled a few days after his arrival. Within a day, he has fallen in love with Tripolina, one of the younger prostitutes…