Italian Neo-Realism began shortly after the end of the World War II, in a time where the country was struck by poverty and a difficult economical and political time. The feelings of the era were reflected in the subject matter and style of the Italian Neo-Realist film makers.
Italian Neo-Realism- Cinema Magazine
As with the French New Wave movement that followed, the Italian New-Realist movement began because of a magazine, Cinema. Created by a circle of critics such as:
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Luchino Visconti
- Gianni Puccini
- Cesare Zavattini
- Guisseppe De Santis
- Pietro Ingrao
Cinema magazine, did not write about political aspects of the world, partly because the editor-in-chief was Vittorio Mussolini (son of Benito) so focused it’s energy on criticising the superficial style of mainstream Italian cinema, as they called it Telefoni Bianchi.
The Telefoni Bianchi mimicked the Hollywood productions of the time, with lavish, Art Deco style sets and focusing on a conservative representation of life and highlighting family values in their themes and plots.
What Was the Style of Italian Neo-Realism?
As a reaction to the social, political and economic situation of the time, Italian Neo Realist film makers wanted to be realistic and gritty in their representations.
Italian Neo-Realist film makers often shot predominantly on location, which resulted in film making being low cost as well as adding to the sense of realism to the movie. They also often used real people instead of actors in their movies, again to add to the sense of realism.
On the occasions when a professional actor was used, they were shot in front of groups of real people, shot on location with ordinary things going on in the background instead of bringing in large groups of extras and instead of constructing a set.
Key themes of the Italian Neo-Realist movement are plots about ordinary poor neighbourhoods and are often set in the countryside. Italian Neo-Realists wanted to portray ordinary lives in realistic settings and plots.
Key Films of the Italian Neo-Realist Movement
Italian Neo-Realism gained international recognition from the movie Roma, citta aperta (Rome Open City) directed by Roberto Rossellini in 1946, the movie won the Grand Prize at Cannes Film Festival.
Other key films of the Italian Neo-Realist movement include:
- Roma, citta aperta (Rome Open City, 1946) Roberto Rossellini
- Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves, 1948) Vittorio De Sica
- Sciuscia (Shoeshine, 1946) Vittorio De Sica
- La terra trema (The Earth Will Tremble, 1948) Luchino Visconti
- Miracola de Milano (Miracle in Milan, 1951) Vittoria De Sica
- Riso Amaro (Bitter Rice, 1949) Guisseppe De Santis
Italian Neo Realism certainly inspired the French New Wave Movement, as well as making an impact on the whole of film maker, showing an alternative way of making movies.
Jayne Read - I am Jayne Read, a young freelance writer, photographer, blogger and model. I am currently working freelance as an Photo Editor, ...
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