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Italian Neorealism

1940s–50s·5 films

Born from WWII ruins. Non-professional actors, real streets, raw truth.

The DNA of every serious drama. No Scorsese, no Coppola without this.

foundationalsocial realism

Filmography

Rome, Open City

1945

Rossellini

Shot during Nazi occupation with scraps of film stock.

Bicycle Thieves

1948

De Sica

Father's desperate search for stolen bike. Devastatingly simple.

La Terra Trema

1948

Visconti

Sicilian fishermen. All real villagers.

Umberto D.

1952

De Sica

Old man and dog facing poverty.

Rocco and His Brothers

1960

Visconti

Southern family torn apart by Milan. Censored on release.

5 films in Italian Neorealism