Description
Object description
The region of Emilia is the crossroads between North and South Italy. In this area, ravaged by war, the people are rebuilding their broken towns and transport system. Agricultural production is increasing; industries restarted. Land reclamation schemes have been started, to absorb the unemployed. Everywhere initiative is being stimulated by funds and technical assistance given to Italy through the Marshall Plan.
Content description
The countryside of Emilia is depicted in several shots, while the narrator describes the region as that in which communist support is strongest within Italy. The history of the region is attested to with shots of the abbey of Pomposa, the moat of Castello Estense at Ferrara, and in the courtyards of Bologna. Views of Pianoro Vecchia indicate the recent history of Emilia. The town suffered extensive damage in the bombing of the Second World War and is now being rebuilt with aid from the Marshall Plan. The townspeople are shown tending their new gardens. The film then focuses on how this aid assists in the rebuilding of the damaged rail infrastructure. Bologna's Fountain of Neptune is shown before the film moves inside to the Chamber of Commerce, the mosaics of which are briefly presented. President of the Chamber Morlini talks about the problems faced by production in the region after the war. These problems were overcome with assistance from the national government and Marshall Plan aid, with particular mention given to land reclamation in the Po delta. Emilia's geographical significance - at the "crossroads" of Italy - is also stressed. Several scenes present passenger life aboard trains. The rebuilding of road infrastructure helps to facilitate the agricultural fair at Modena. Sale negotiations are shown, as are tractors produced by Fordson and by Ferrari. Improved agricultural production is noted as another goal of the Economic Co-operation Administration (ECA). A section on factory production follows, at a factory producing gears. Machine tools have been imported by ECA, and the factory foreman testifies to their usefulness. Activity at Porto Corsini harbour is shown. The town relies on the fleet's catch, as the surrounding land is too poor for agriculture. The land reclamation underway aims to address that, and to also provide employment to the town. The Trepponti bridge of Comacchio is briefly shown, while the narrator describes how, as a consequence of the regional reliance on eel fishing, productivity is limited to the winter months, when the eels head inland to breed. Shots provide an overview of the repeated efforts to keep the new drainage systems free of mud. Women work to prepare the reclaimed land before it is sown. A new pumping station releases clean water from the Po into the irrigation system. The film notes that new farms are being planned here, and housing must be provided. Crops are sown and olive vines planted. The crops start to come through – "proof that American aid to Italy has borne fruit".
Physical description
16mm