The neorealist movement began in Italy
at the end of World War Two in response to social and political upheaval and
the devastating economic fallout from the war. Filmmakers such as Vittorio De
Sica, Roberto Rossellini, and Luchino Visconti took to the streets and made
films on location that told the stories of everyday people dealing with real
struggles.
In this two-part series, writer and Oakton
Community College film teacher Francine J. Sanders will lead an exploration of
this key cinematic movement and its importance to world cinema. She will screen
and discuss two of the movement’s pioneering works made by director De Sica and
screenwriter Cesare Zavattini. On January 20, enjoy Bicycle Thieves (1948) in which a working-class man’s bicycle is
stolen and he and his son set out to recover it. On January 27, we’ll show Umberto D. (1952), about an elderly
Roman man and his dog struggling to survive on a government pension.
Patrons are encouraged to attend both sessions for the best experience. No registration is required.
The Bicycle Thief (89 min)