Italian Neo-Realism: A post-WWII film movement in Italy.
Known for stories about the poor and working class.
Addressed economic and moral conditions post-WWII.
Films depicted people oppressed by situations beyond their control.
Origins and Characteristics
Name: Neo-realism means 'new realism'.
Connects to a realist tradition in Italian literature and early Italian cinema (1913-1916).
Inspired by writers like Giovanni Verga.
Aesthetic Characteristics:
Low-budget productions.
On-location shooting with natural light.
Use of non-professional actors.
Loosened narrative conventions compared to classical Hollywood (e.g., causal motivation and closure).
Historical Context
Timeline: Began in 1945, post-Mussolini and WWII.
Transition from state-centered film industry to independent filmmaking due to damaged film studios and lack of resources.
Small production companies free from censorship (1945-1949).
Socialist influence in government (1945-1947).
Aesthetic and Production Elements
Common Misconceptions:
Not all films displayed neorealist features.
Many interior scenes were shot in studios.
Sound often post-dubbed; films had structured editing and scores.
Significant Contributors:
Directors like Vittorio De Sica, Roberto Rossellini, Luchino Visconti.
Notable films include "Rome, Open City" and "Bicycle Thieves".
Important Films
Ossessione (1942)
Considered a proto-neorealist film.
Adaptation of "The Postman Always Rings Twice".
Rome, Open City (1945)
Centers on Nazi occupation and resistance.
Produced with limited resources, using location shooting.
Narrative and Realism
Cesare Zavattini: Screenwriter and advocate for realism.
Argued for films about ordinary situations depicting everyday reality.
Narrative Techniques:
Films often depict natural events without causing narrative progression (e.g., "Bicycle Thieves").
Emphasis on non-dramatic story elements and lack of closure.
Influence and Legacy
Material World:
Integration of real-world settings into cinematic storytelling.
Emphasis on photographing the actual world post-war (e.g., "Bicycle Thieves", "Umberto D").
Films emphasized struggles through depiction of physical labor and environments.
Impact:
Influenced film studies' focus on realism, bodies, and material matter.
Established a connection between realism in filmmaking and the medium of film itself.
Conclusion
Italian Neo-Realism remains a pivotal movement in cinema history, emphasizing real-life struggles and naturalistic storytelling, influencing both the artistic and technical approaches in worldwide cinema.