1. Bicycle Thief Marxism and Materialist Determinism

2. Italian Neorealism: History  “ From its earliest days during the resistance against the German occupation, to the devastating aftermath of the War and the hopelessness of reconstruction that ensued, neorealism painted a picture of “ real ” Italian life from 1943 to 1952. ” (from Neoweb http://www.carleton.edu/curricular/MEDA/classes/media110/Voigt/paper1.html ) http://www.carleton.edu/curricular/MEDA/classes/media110/Voigt/paper1.html

3. Italian Neorealism: Style  1. an avoidance of neatly plotted stories in favor of loose, episodic structures that evolve organically 2. a documentary visual style 3. the use of actual locations--usually exteriors--rather than studio sites 4. the use of nonprofessional actors, even for principal roles 5. use of conversational speech, not literary dialogue 6. avoidance of artifice in editing, camerawork, and lighting in favor of a simple "style-less" style

4. Italy: social background  Post-War Italy 1. A mass emigration from the impoverished south to the north. 2. 25% of the Italian workforce was jobless

5. The Bicycle Thief (or The Bicycle Thieves)  How is post-war Italian society presented? With what images and which people? -- How are social hierarchy and class differences presented?  How does family relationship get affected by poverty?  Is a Antonio too helpless and pathetic in the film? The film ’ s social critique.  The title in original Italian should be “ The Bicycle Thieves." Why?