ROCKLAND — The public is invited to come to the Rockland Public Library at 80 Union St. at 6: 30 p. m. Thursday, May 28, for a showing of the 1946 neorealist drama film “ Shoeshine” directed by Vittorio De Sica and featuring Rinaldo Smordoni, Franco Interlenghi, Annielo Mele and Bruno Ortenz.

In 1948, “ Shoeshine” received an Honorary Award at the Academy Awards for its high quality. The film was cast with local Italian children who had never acted. Shoeshine tells the story of Giuseppe and Pasquale, young boys who work on the street in post WWII Italy, shining the shoes of American troops to save up to buy a horse, but their involvement in a burglary lands them in juvenile prison, where the experience takes a devastating toll on their friendship.

Of the film, Thomas M. Pryor of The New York Times said, “‘Shoe-Shine’ is not an entertainment; rather, it is a brilliantly executed social document.”

The film showing is part of the Pfander’s Favorite Film Series and is hosted by Thomaston film maven Erika Pfander. This program, sponsored by the Friends of the Rockland Library, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 594-0310.