Italian Neorealism and the film Bicycle thieves

Italian Neorealism: a film movement A man named Zavattini called for a new kind of Italian film in 1942. Neorealism (or new realism) emerged in Italy after WWII by filmmakers who had come out of Mussolini’s state film school. They were in revolt against the type of films Mussolini made them create which were distracting and entertaining with elaborate sets. Neorealist films focus on the lower class in the present day (after WWII). These films reflect daily life in Italy at the time.

Characteristics of Neorealist films Shot on location in real locations Used post-production sound for all sound effects and dialogue. Black and white (not color) A lack of closure or lose ends left hanging at the end. Looks like a low-budget newsreel.

Famous films/directors Obsessione (Luchino Visconti, 1943 – considered the first neorealist film though it did not have all of the characteristics of the movement) Open City (Roberto Rosselini, 1945 – the standard for neorealism) Umberto D (Vittorio De Sica, 1952 – the last neorealist film)

Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio De Sica, 1948) Made in 1948 and won Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1949. Takes place in Rome. Lots of people are unemployed and a bike can mean having a job or not (just like a car might today). Dialogue was dubbed in later. The main character’s dialogue was dubbed in with a different person altogether because they did not like his voice. Used regular people, not actors.