In 1930's Italy, eleven year old Acla' (Francesco Cusimano) is sold by his parents to a miner, forced to work in a dark labyrinth full of men who enjoy beating boys and using them for their sexual pleasure. Can Acla' endure the abuse, or will he threaten his family's welfare by running off to Australia as he dreams. A very realistic depiction of life before child labor laws which is based on fact; shocking and disturbing. Padre Padrone is a comparable film.

Warning (rated NR): moderate/extensive nudity; graphic violence; intense sexual themes; sexual scenes; profanity; adult themes.

1987; aka Acla's Descent into Floristella, La Discesa Di Acla a Floristella; in Italian with English subtitles; 86 minutes; Francesco Cusimano, Tony Sperandeo, Luigi Maria Burrvano, Lucia Sardo.