The Italian Neorealist Movement

Italian Neorealist movement emerged in the 1940s as a response to Italy’s social and economic struggles following World War II. It prioritized authentic storytelling by using non-professional actors and real locations, capturing the honest, often gritty realities of everyday life. The movement aimed to depict the struggles of ordinary people, highlighting social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and injustice. Films like *Bicycle Thieves* and *Rome, Open City* exemplify this approach, blending poetic realism with social critique. Neorealism significantly influenced global cinema, emphasizing realism and humanism in depicting contemporary life.