World War II left countless scares in Italy. The destruction, the economic disaster and a politically divided country on almost every issue, this was the birthplace of one of cinema’s most interesting movement: Italian neorealism which would also be known as the Golden Age of Italian Cinema. The main directors of that movement were: Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti and Roberto Rossellini.
The location: Nazi occupied Rome. As Rome is classified an open city, most Romans can wander the streets without fear of the city being bombed or them being killed in the process. But life for Romans is still difficult with the Nazi occupation as there is a curfew, basic foods are rationed, and the Nazis are still searching for those working for the resistance and will go to any length to quash those in the resistance and anyone providing them with assistance. War worn widowed mother Pina is about to get married to her next door neighbour Francesco. Despite their situation – Pina being pregnant, and Francesco being an atheist – Pina and Francesco will be wed by Catholic priest Don Pietro Pelligrini. The day before the wedding, Francesco’s friend, Giorgio Manfredi, who Pina has never met, comes looking for Francesco as he, working for the resistance, needs a place to hide out. For his latest mission, Giorgio also requests the assistance of Don Pietro, who is more than willing as he sees (source IMDB)
Roberto Rossellini was already an established director in Italy before “Roma città aperta”, directing documentaries and like many of his peers propaganda movies (even though he worked also on anti-fascist documentaries during the war). After the fall of Mussolini he finally could work on his first real movie which would make him a star and make neorealism movement famous (it is generally accepted that “Ossessione” by Luchino Visconti (1943) launched the movement). Painted as anti-fascist film, “Roma città aperta” is a melodrama using realism to show the horror of war and the resistance of the occupied against the occupant. The film has a lot of emotional force and carries a hopeful message. Creating a humanistic message and unifying everyone in the fight against the Nazi’s, Rossellini still portrays the live of normal people during the war, searching for food or more joyful event like planning a wedding.
The cast is excellent with the tremendous Aldo Fabrizi (a friend of Rossellini and Fellini), the charismatic Anna Magnani, the enduring and strong Marcello Pagliero and the young Vito Annicchiarico.
“Roma città aperta” was written by Sergio Amidei with assistance from Federico Fellini. Fellini and Rossellini became friends during the War and collaborated on a few projects. The film was the start of his Neorealistic Trilogy: “Paisà,” 1946 and “Germania anno zero,” 1948.
The film still carries a lot of emotions and has influenced many directors throughtout the years like Godard or the brothers Dardenne.
The film was honoured at the film festival of Cannes: Grand Prize of the Festival in 1946.
