The Epic of Italian Neorealism (Part 2)

January 29, 2024

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According to【The Epic of Italian Neorealism (Part 1)】, the distinctive features of neorealism primarily manifest in two aspects: its content's societal nature and its techniques' authenticity.

Firstly, neorealism as a film movement is notably characterized by its explicit societal focus on content and subject matter. In contrast to many fictional European and American films, Italian Neorealism films candidly and unreservedly concentrate on portraying Italy's social dynamics and national tragedies, especially in the aftermath of World War II. This thematic emphasis is evident in landmark neorealist films such as "Rome, Open City," "Bicycle Thieves," "Shoeshine," "Rome 11:00," and "The Earth Trembles." The subjects of these films, predominantly ordinary individuals including priests, homemakers, farmers, unemployed workers, and vagabonds, represent a departure from the characters typically seen in Western films, marking a pioneering moment in Western cinema.

Secondly, neorealism is characterized by the authenticity of its films. One of the aesthetic features of Italian Neorealism films is the pursuit of realistic settings. Virtually all neorealism films relocate the camera to actual locations, filming in impoverished streets, the natural settings of the stories—slums, bankrupt farms, collapsed buildings. While this practice initially stemmed from practical reasons, such as the deterioration of film studios after the war, it ultimately led to an unintentional increase in the realism of the films. Non-professional actors and even locals as protagonists further contributed to this authenticity. Although this approach initially served a positive purpose in aligning the movie with the characters' real lives, it later proved to be somewhat one-sided, excluding measures that might enhance the "performative" aspects of the films.

Addressing these two characteristics, André Bazin, the founder of the renowned film magazine "Cahiers du Cinéma," emphasized that directors like Vittorio De Sica, Roberto Rossellini, and Federico Fellini shared a common focus not primarily on profound meanings in their films but rather on the realistic representation of reality, with dramatic structure following suit.

III. Key Figures and Masterpieces of Neorealism

As mentioned earlier, the neorealism movement emerged from the ruins scattered across Italy at the end of World War II, responding directly to the socio-political circumstances of the time.

While some tend to regard Luchino Visconti's "Obsession" (1943) as the first neorealist film, it is often considered to be "closer to American film noir than post-war neorealism." It cannot compete internationally with Roberto Rossellini's "Rome, Open City," released two years later. In 1945, "Rome, Open City" officially became the manifesto of neorealism. The film reflected the unity spirit of the Italian people in their struggle against fascism, with its grand scope, passionate enthusiasm, and the authentic texture created by on-site filming, non-professional actors, and regional dialects. It inevitably rooted itself in the devastated ruins, delivering an artful and impactful cinematic experience.

Following this, Roberto Rossellini went on to shoot "Paisan" (1946) and "Germany Year Zero" (1948), forming the "War Trilogy." "Paisan," set in the late stages of World War II, against the backdrop of the U.S. military breaking through German defenses during the Italian landing, skillfully handled six Italian civilian stories triggered by the U.S. military's advance from the south to the north. It cleverly addressed a series of issues arising from the meeting of two worlds, such as language communication and barriers, the connection and discord between different cultures and ethnicities. The film's title, meaning fellow citizens, neighbors, and even friends, was frequently used by Italian and American soldiers as a friendly greeting. Its deeper meaning provided the foundation for Roberto Rossellini to explore the collision between Italy and the United States.

"Germany Year Zero" tells the story of a thirteen-year-old German boy succumbing to the heavy pressures of life and the remnants of social Darwinism, ultimately choosing to kill his father. Roberto Rossellini shifted his perspective to examine the traumas inflicted on civilian populations in enemy countries by the guilty war, using this narrative to call for post-war reconciliation between victors and vanquished and a universal humanitarian spirit beyond narrow nationalism.

In the same year "Germany Year Zero" was released, Italian Neorealism peaked with two new works from neorealism masters Luchino Visconti and Vittorio De Sica. Luchino Visconti directed the most strictly neorealist film, "The Earth Trembles." It narrates the tragic story of a Sicilian fisherman's venture to change his fate, which fails. The film contains numerous documentary-style scenes depicting Sicilian fishermen's rich and authentic life.

"The Earth Trembles" incorporates occasional voiceovers commenting on characters and events, with actors chosen from local villagers. They presented their most genuine selves in the most natural state, a practice that resonated with audiences and made "The Earth Trembles" the only film that wholly adhered to neorealism film creation principles.

So, what are the principles of neorealism film creation? Cesare Zavattini summarized them as follows:

1. Avoid fiction and stereotyping; portray real people and events truthfully.

2. Emphasize details over plot; faithfully represent reality, allowing the audience to interpret the causal relationships between events.

3. Value the every day; oppose intricate and sensational stories. If well explored, any ordinary event is a "gold mine."

4. Provide the audience with a vague answer.

5. Film on location; move out of the studio to the streets.

6. Integrate direction and screenplay; eliminate the need for a dedicated scriptwriter.

7. Avoid professional actors; do not have one person play another.

8. Do not create "heroic characters"; every ordinary person is a hero.

9. Use natural language, especially dialects.

We can say that "The Earth Trembles" is the most comprehensive adherence to the principles of neorealism film creation, a conclusion drawn from carefully examining these principles in practice.