Cinema of Italy: The season of neorealism (1943-1955)

The Italian neorealist movement was a groundbreaking cinematic, artistic, and cultural phenomenon that reshaped cinema both in Italy and globally. Emerging in the tumultuous post-World War II years, neorealism sought to present an unfiltered view of life in Italy. This movement quickly garnered international attention and acclaim for its raw portrayal of social issues and its departure from the artifice of mainstream cinema.

The Roots and Birth of Italian Neorealism

Neorealism emerged from the ruins of Fascist Italy and the suffering inflicted by the war, which had ravaged the country and left large portions of the population in poverty. Artists, writers, and filmmakers who had previously been constrained under Mussolini’s regime began to express a renewed dedication to portraying life truthfully. This movement extended beyond cinema to influence literature, theater, and the visual arts. However, it was in cinema where neorealism found its most powerful and resonant voice.

Italian neorealism aspired to shine a light on the country’s most pressing issues, particularly poverty, unemployment, and the struggles of the working class. Filmmakers focused on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people, their triumphs, and their tragedies. Unlike the escapist films of the Fascist era, these films portrayed real locations, real emotions, and, often, real people as actors.

Characteristics of Neorealist Cinema

The defining traits of Italian neorealism included:

• Realistic Storylines: Neorealist films were characterized by simple, relatable plots, often centered around themes of poverty, social inequality, and moral dilemmas. These storylines were drawn from everyday life, with a focus on working-class and poor characters.
• Non-professional Actors: Many neorealist directors chose to cast non-professional actors to heighten the realism of their films. This allowed for a more authentic and raw portrayal of ordinary Italians, who embodied the struggles and stories depicted.
• Authentic Dialogue: Directors paid close attention to the spoken language in their films, often emphasizing regional dialects and local slang. This attention to linguistic detail was a rejection of the polished, standardized Italian seen in the earlier era of Fascist cinema.
• On-location Shooting: Rather than filming on studio sets, neorealist directors shot in real locations to capture the grit and authenticity of the environment. They avoided artificial lighting and focused on naturalistic cinematography. Scenes were often shot outdoors, or, if indoors, in the modest homes of acquaintances or relatives, creating a documentary-like feel.

Prominent directors of this movement included Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti, Giuseppe De Santis, and Pietro Germi. Each brought their own interpretation to neorealism, while sharing a commitment to portraying Italian life with honesty.

Pioneering Works of Italian Neorealism

Some of the most iconic films of Italian neorealism are those that best captured the socio-political landscape of Italy:

• Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy: Roma, città aperta (1945), Paisà (1946), and Germania anno zero (1948) were groundbreaking for their depiction of the war’s impact on Italy and its people. These films combined harsh reality with moments of empathy and resilience, and they earned international recognition, marking Rossellini as a leading figure in neorealism.
• Vittorio De Sica’s Works on Italian Society: De Sica directed several seminal films, including Sciuscià (1946), Ladri di biciclette (1948), Miracolo a Milano (1951), and Umberto D. (1952). These films, often written in collaboration with the screenwriter Cesare Zavattini, delved into the struggles of individuals against societal hardships. Ladri di biciclette, in particular, became emblematic of the movement for its heart-wrenching portrayal of a man’s search for his stolen bicycle—a vehicle essential to his family’s survival.
• Luchino Visconti’s Exploration of Italian Life: Visconti’s early work Ossessione (1943), often considered the first neorealist film, set the tone for the movement with its stark, gritty adaptation of James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice. His later films, La terra trema (1948) and Bellissima (1951), focused on themes of class struggle and the exploitation of ordinary people.

Federico Fellini: The Bridge to a New Aesthetic

Federico Fellini emerged as a unique voice within and eventually beyond neorealism. Although initially influenced by the movement, Fellini sought a more personal and fantastical aesthetic. His early films, such as Luci del varietà (1950, co-directed with Alberto Lattuada) and Lo sceicco bianco (1952), still retained neorealist elements but began to explore the surreal and the psychological.

In I Vitelloni (1953) and La Strada (1954), Fellini moved closer to a poetic, symbolic storytelling style that would later define his work. La Strada, which starred Giulietta Masina and won an Academy Award, marked a departure from traditional neorealism and heralded Fellini’s evolution into a new form of Italian cinema, blending realism with fantasy.

Neorealism’s Shift and Legacy: From Reality to Comedy

The neorealist movement faced challenges by the mid-1950s. With Italy’s economy improving, audiences increasingly desired films that celebrated newfound prosperity rather than revisiting hardship. As a result, neorealism evolved into Neorealismo Rosa (“Pink Neorealism”)—a genre that retained elements of realism but softened the tone and focused more on romance, hope, and humor. This shift laid the groundwork for the Italian comedy genre, or Commedia all’italiana, which became wildly popular in the 1960s.

Rossellini and Psychological Realism

Roberto Rossellini continued to explore new approaches within neorealism, creating films that combined realism with a deeper psychological focus. Collaborating with actress Ingrid Bergman—who became his wife—he created a trilogy of films: Stromboli terra di Dio (1950), Europa ’51 (1952), and Viaggio in Italia (1954). These films were initially met with mixed reactions but later gained recognition as masterpieces. The trilogy’s focus on emotional and existential crises signaled a shift in Rossellini’s work from purely social issues to complex inner conflicts, influenced by Bergman’s powerful performances as women grappling with alienation and suffering.

Enduring Influence of Italian Neorealism

Though short-lived, Italian neorealism left a profound legacy on world cinema. It inspired filmmakers worldwide—from France’s Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave) to directors like Satyajit Ray in India, Ken Loach in Britain, and Martin Scorsese in the United States—who drew on its techniques and themes to tell socially relevant stories. Today, Italian neorealism is celebrated for its pioneering realism, its focus on human dignity, and its dedication to capturing the struggles of ordinary people.

Key Films of Italian Neorealism