Essay On Neorealism

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Italian neorealism emerged after World War II, and had profound historical and cultural impacts on society and the film industry. Three specific traits of neorealist style included, but were not limited to: the use of working class characters (non-professional actors); the use of real locations as settings; and open, oftentimes unhappy, endings. In the closing scene from Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio De Sica, 1948), all three of these neorealist elements are present.

In this scene, we can easily identify the father, Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani), and the son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola) as working class characters. Further research leads us to discover that they are non-professional actors as well. Additionally, the people in the background are almost all working class citizens as well. The ones who are getting their bikes are working class. The ones who chase down Antonio after he steals the bicycle are working class. The ones in the background, on the street, and on buses are all working class characters. De Sica utilized this element of neorealism in order to emphasize the regular, ordinary...

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