#39. giulietta masina in nights of cabiria

an exemplary performance by one of italian cinema's best actress, masina brought heart and passion to many of her roles, but in fellini's classic, she sears into the memory as cabiria ceccarelli, the sweet, misguided, yet endearing prostitute, who naively falls in love with a man who promises her the world. it is such a heart-wrenching performance, it is no wonder that masina won the 1957 best actress award from the cannes festival for her role.

greatest moment: see below