Italian Neorealism: Rebuilding the Cinematic City

by Mark Shiel

Italian Rebuilding the Cinematic City is a valuable introduction to one of the most influential of film movements. Exploring the roots and causes of neorealism, particularly the effects of the Second World War, as well as its politics and style, Mark Shiel examines the portrayal of the city and the legacy left by filmmakers such as Rossellini, De Sica, and Visconti. Films studied include Rome, Open City (1945), Paisan (1946), The Bicycle Thief (1948), and Umberto D. (1952).

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2005

Reviews

[Chuck Pickerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italian neorealism was a national film movement characterized by stories set amongst the poor and the working class, filmed on location, and frequently using non-professional actors. There is debate among film scholars of what period of time this movement was active for, but typically 1943-1952 is considered its time frame. In his book Italian Neorealism: Rebuilding the Cinematic City, Mark Shiel presents that an understanding of the Italian city, urbanization and its representation is the key to the understanding of neorealism.

Throughout the book he explores the origins and evolution of neorealism as well as its politics and style. There is also detailed analysis of the portrayal of the city in six Italian neorealism films including Ossessione (1943), Rome, Open City (1945), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Cronaca di un amore (1950), Journey to Italy (1954) and The Nights of Cabiria (1957). The book offers excellent insight on these films as well as the filmmakers who made them. In his analysis of these films, Shiel discusses there were two phases to Italian neorealism with the first phase focusing on the plight of Italian citizens during and after World War II with the fall of fascism. The second phase he notes expanded neorealism typically shifting its focus from working-class to middle-class subjects with the country emerging from the ashes to a post war capitalistic boom.

The book is very illuminating on how the Italian city played a key role in this film movement and the analysis of the films is very enjoyable. I found it to be very engaging and it is able to balance the history and politics of the movement with discussion of the actual films in an effective way. People who are new to Italian neorealism will want to view the six films discussed in the book before reading it as key plot points are revealed. However, for those seeking an introduction to Italian neorealism will be pleased with this analysis on one of the most important film movements of the 20th Century.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

mit dem genau s gliche wegs de seminararbeit