World Cinema Saturdays: Italian Neorealism

381Italian Neorealism was arguably the most historically-influenced film genre. Rooted in the resistance of northern Italy during the close of World War II, the movement was greatly influenced by the political ideals and social history of the time. From its earliest days at the close of the German occupation, to the devastating aftermath of the War and the hopelessness of reconstruction, Neorealism painted a picture of “real” Italian life from 1943 to 1952. In their pursuit of documentary-style verisimilitude, the major Neorealist filmmakers employed an unadorned visual and narrative style, scrupulously devoid of Hollywood glamour, artifice and sentiment.

Don’t miss this week’s movies:

1761 The Bicycle Thief
A painter and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.

(Italy, 1949, 89 mins, dir. Vittorio de Sica, with Lamberto Maggiorani & Lianella Careli, Italian with English subtitles)


1754 Umberto D
Ferrari, an elderly and retired civil servant, desperately attempts to maintain a decent standard of living on a rapidly dwindling state pension.

(Italy, 1952, 90 mins, dir. Vittorio de Sica, with Carlo Battisti & Pia Casilio, Italian with English subtitles)


1742 Two Women
Cesira and her 13-year-old daughter, Rosetta, flee from the allied bombs in Rome during WWII, and encounter some of brutalities of war (Warning: Rape scene).

(Italy, 1960, B&W, 100 minutes, dir. Vittoria De Sica, with Sophia Loren and Jean-Paul Belmondo)


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