Recreating post-war Italy with set extensions, CG, matte painting and compositing for Viola Ardone's film
Il treno dei bambini
Production Company: Palomar
Italian Distribution: Netflix Italia
For Il Treno dei Bambini, Frame by Frame brought post-war Italy to life through meticulous set extensions and visual effects, transforming modern locations into authentic settings of the era.
The reconstruction of the Naples and Modena train stations was among the most challenging tasks, involving extraordinary precision across multiple sequences. These stations, depicted at various points in the film with seasonal changes from summer to winter, were recreated using CG, matte painting and compositing techniques. The result is a flawless and realistic visual representation in every condition.
Compositing
Set extension
Clean up
Keying
Matte painting
CG integration
Fx
Another significant challenge was the reconstruction of Naples’ market, devastated by bombings, which demanded impeccable historical and visual accuracy.
Similarly, the Modena countryside was enhanced with a meticulous integration of snow on trees, roads and buildings, amplifying the atmosphere and narrative depth.
Beyond these major transformations, detailed work included adding realistic reflections on the train windows—a key visual element in the story—and removing anachronistic elements from the locations. Frame by Frame also recreated views of Naples featuring bombed-out churches and the drama of wartime explosions, deepening the audience’s immersion in the historical setting.
The intricate work on the Naples and Modena train stations stands as a testament to technical excellence. Using CG, matte painting and compositing, the team achieved flawless realism, capturing both the warm tones of summer and the frosty landscapes of winter. This meticulous effort ensured that every scene was immersive and narratively cohesive.
Il treno dei bambini – VFX breakdown
