Neorealistic movement began in Italy at the end of WW2 with the fall of Benito Mussolini's fascist regime. The movement was a responses to the political turmoil and desperate economic conditions afflicting the country at the time.
Realism criticisms the view of society as a collection of individuals who are indifferent to the suffering of others.
The movement was made to uncover the truth about the widespread suffering in Italy, it showed that there was many problems due to lack of awareness in the plight of others.
White Telephone Films
In the 1930's Melodramas, a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions, were very popular with Italian audiences.
White telephone films or as they were known in Italy as a telefoni bianci, depicted the emotional turmoil of Italy's upper class. They were made to present a comedic way of life that completely avoided the very real troubles Italians faced in reality.
The Woman in Black (La Signora in Nero) (1943) by Nunzio Malasomma
Teresa Venerdi (1941) by Vittorio De Sica
Form and Style
- Stories focused on the poor and the working class
- Documentary style of photography
- Using non-professional actors
- Avoidance of complex editing and post production processes
- Preference of natural lighting
- Preference of filming on location
Luchino Viconti
Italian theatre director, opera director, screenwriter and cinema director. His realistic treatment of individuals caught of modern society contributed significantly to Neorealism.
Ossessione (1943)
Based on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.
The story involves a drifter character who falls in love with the wife of a diner owner and they plot to murder the husband.
The film isn't considered to be a full Neorealist film but shares some of the qualities of Neorealism by showing a less than flattering view of Italy.
Roberto Rossellini
Another Italian film director, producer and screenwriter, Mostly known for his post WW2 films of Italy, he made a trilogy:
Rome Open City (1945)
Drama about the Nazi Occupation of Rome.
Paisa (1946)
A documentary styled film with 6 episodes, set during the liberation of Italy at the end of the war.
Germany Year Zero (1948)
A 12 year old boy's image of a war torn Italy to the effects of a war torn Germany.
Vittorio De Sica
Ce Sica's Career spanned 55 years with him directing 35 films and acting in more than 150 films/
The Bicycle Thief (1948)
This film is regarded as a masterpiece of Italian Neorealism and sited on many lists as one of the greatest films of all time.
The film had social themes of unemployment and the effects of post war conditions.
- Do I agree with the statement that The Bicycle Thief is “one of the greatest films of all time”? I can agree that The Bicycle Thief is a good movie, it does have some solid story telling and with the language barrier it still made sense. But I wouldn't call it the greatest film of all time.
- What does the bike represent?: The Bike represents money. A better life. A stable income.
- Is the use of non-professional actors evident? Good or bad? All of the actors seem to act well. The film feels a little more natural, rather than dramatic.
- Character arc of the father: The Father is looking for a job. He gets the Job. He goes to work. Gets his bike stolen. He looks for the bike. He starts to get desperate. Harasses an old man. Tries to look for guidance. Finds a guy that may or may not have stolen the bike. He doesn't have the bike. Father needs the bike. Resorts to stealing someones bike. Gets caught. Is now sad that he stole bike in-front of his boy.
- Boys opinion of his father: Sad, Confused. The boy likes his dad but the dad starts acting erratically, including smacking him across the face for reasons.
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