Week 17

Question 1

Some Alternatives to the Classical Hollywood Cinema

Answer 1

-Soviet Montage
-German Expressionism
-Italian Neo-Realism
-The French New Wave

Question 2

Italian Neorealism (1942-1952) Key Films

Answer 2

-Open City (Rossellini, 1945)
-Bicycle Thieves (De Sica, 1948)
-Umberto D. (De Sica, 1952)

Question 3

What is Italian Neorealism

Answer 3

-Search for new way to represent Italian history & society: “Neo-realism”
attempt to break the cinematic fantasy about the fascist cinematic period

Question 4

What does Italian Neorealism Have?

Answer 4

-Short-lived movement (around 10-20 films) with considerable influence
-Reaction against fascist-era cinema

Question 5

Fascist-era Cinema in Italy

Answer 5

-Fascist dictator (1922-1943) Benito Mussolini (Il Duce (the leader))
-Interest in film as a propaganda
-establishment of grand film studio Cinecitta (1937)
-make historical epics (like Roman Empire)
-also make sentimental melodramas (as a symbol of comfort and luxury)
-no representations of poverty, Italy in decline

Question 6

Characteristics of Italian Neorealism

Answer 6

-Location shooting in urban settings
-Rough, documentary-style cinematography
-Frequently used novice actors
-Stories of poor and working-class characters
-Looser narrative form
- Non-casually related events included
- Ambiguity
- Open- ended, slice-of-life narrative structures.

Question 7

Neorealism & Hollywood

Answer 7

-Location shooting
-Naturalistic acting
- method acting
-Unglamorous characters, settings
-Examination of impact of social forces