Neo realism is actually a term used to describe theatre style, and it means new realism. This conception of 'new reality' first started in Italy. This new idea redefined the whole perception of modernism.
After the First World War, Italy was going through a very frustrating time. Everything was shattered in a place otherwise so rich in culture. Films were not a mere exception. Italian neo realistic films emerged as an after effect of this social and political unrest.
The Italian film industry was going through a very tough time. All of the studios were broken and damaged; they did not have sufficient money to budget for film making. The renowned and crafty directors started to relocate to Hollywood. During this horrible time, Italian neo realistic films emerged.
In the post World War one period, people of Italy were searching for a medium through which they could raise their voices. There is a proven theory that art movement can unite people more than any other type of protest. Italy proved this fact once again.
Directors like Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica emerged and they showed their new weapon, not only to Italy, but also to the whole world.
The first among the neo realistic films of Italy was Quattro passi tra le nuvole, which translates to 'Four steps in the clouds', by Alessandro Blasetti in the year 1942. But this was just the beginning. Italian neo realistic films started to become popular with directors like, vittorio De Sica, Roberto Rossellini, etc.
Rossellini made Rome Open City or Roma Citta Aperta in the year 1945, which became one of the milestone films of neo realism. This film depicts the brutal torture of the Nazis on Italians. He also made two more world-class neo realistic films, Paisa and Germania Anno Zero. The compilation of these three films is called the 'Trilogy of Rossellini'.
But, most probably the most famous neo realistic film, is 'Bicycle Thief' or 'Ladri di Biciclette' by Vittorio De Sica. This film was released in the year 1948.
The largest portion of this film was shot outdoors. The most interesting thing is that no professional actor was used in this film, and surprisingly, the lead character, Ricci, played by Lamberto Maggiorani was not at all a professional actor.
The story tells about an unemployed man who gets a job, and through turn of events he gets his bicycle stolen. The story spins on his helplessness and how quickly the search for his bike changes his life.
This film very artistically depicts the problems of a common person and how society victimizes him.
The most touching point of this film is the climax, when the little boy, Bruno watches his father get bitten by the mob after stealing a bicycle. At that point the story does not just tells the story of a single man, but of another story of a new bicycle thief.
This film throws a question to the society: 'who is responsible for giving birth to a criminal?' Actually, many Italian neo realistic films dealt with such social issues.
Some other very famous Italian neo realistic films are, Sciuscia a.k.a. shoeshine, 1946, Miracolo a Milano a.k.a Miracle in Milan, 1950, Umberto D, 1952. Umberto D was the last film of this Italian neo realistic films genre.
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