I have recently seen for the first time a movie
that is considered one of the most significant of the Italian cinematography.
"Roma, citta' aperta" ("Rome, open city") was directed by
one of the greatest Italian movie-makers - Roberto Rossellini.
It is set in
Rome in 1944 and presents the depressing reality of Nazi occupation during the
Second World War.
It is mainly a story of two women:
- Pina, played by Anna Magnani, a widowed mother
who is pregnant with the child of resistance soldier
- Marina, played by Maria Michi, a dancer who is
in love with another resistence soldier and anti-Fascist.
The movie is one of most critically acclaimed
representants of neorealism. It was a movement characterized by stories of the
working class, usually filmed on location. What is more non-professional actors
were hired, to sort of show the real Italian people and to make a movie more
natural. Most neorealism movie show Italy after World War II. The most common
topic were: conditions of everyday life, poverty, oppression, injustice and
desperation.
It is a must-see not only for every fan of classic
movies but also for anyone interested in history.
This seems to be a shameful gap in my film education. I must find it somewhere and see it!
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