White Nights

A middle-aged man named Mario (Marcello Mastroianni) meets a young woman named Natalia (Maria Schell) who is waiting on a canal bridge for her lover's return. Initially, he thinks she is one of the ladies of the night but as he passes, he hears her crying and tries to calm her down. They chat and agree to meet next evening at the same place and time, starting a simple yet charming drama that explores their emotional desires and frustrations. As they spend more time together, Natalia confides in Mario about her past, including why she waits each night on the bridge for someone who has left her.