1. Italian Neo-realism Impact on World Cinema

2. Italian Neo-realism Characterized by… Focus on poor or working class Focus on poor or working class Filmed on location Filmed on location Use of non-actors Use of non-actors Dealing with changes in post-WWII Italy Dealing with changes in post-WWII Italy Changes in economy, morality, everyday life Changes in economy, morality, everyday life

3. Italian Neo-realism Famous Titles: Rome, Open City (Roberto Rosselini, 1945) Rome, Open City (Roberto Rosselini, 1945) Germany Year Zero (Roberto Rosselini, 1948) Germany Year Zero (Roberto Rosselini, 1948) Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio de Sica, 1948) Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio de Sica, 1948) Umberto D (Vittorio de Sica, 1952) Umberto D (Vittorio de Sica, 1952) La Strada (Federico Fellini, 1954) La Strada (Federico Fellini, 1954)

4. Italian Neo-realism Rome, Open City Germany Year One Bicycle ThievesLa Strada

5. Italian Neo-realism A Perfect Storm: Propaganda Films Propaganda Films Movie Tone News Reels Movie Tone News Reels Failing economy and unavailable film studios Failing economy and unavailable film studios

6. Italian Neo-realism In the beginning…(1943-1948) Neorealist films focused on the pathos and problems of Italians trying to survive a war ravaged country In the end… (1948-1950-ish) The stories became more upbeat to mirror the improving atmosphere in Italy

7. Impact on World Cinema The gritty visual style and subject matter informed the film noir trend in the 1940s/50s The gritty visual style and subject matter informed the film noir trend in the 1940s/50s Realistic storylines, less glamour, more truth emerged in Hollywood films Realistic storylines, less glamour, more truth emerged in Hollywood films Everyday life became more interesting— settings like the classroom, the office, and a married household emerged Everyday life became more interesting— settings like the classroom, the office, and a married household emerged