Bicycle Thieves :best films of Italian Neo realist cinema

credit: third party image reference
Bicycle Thieves by Vittorio De Sica is undoubtedly one of the best films of Italian Neo realist cinema made in 1948. Neo - realist cinema was a response to post world war problems faced by Italian society. Since the world wars have shattered film industries all over Europe, American film industry dominated cinema production. Italian neo realist took this as a creative challenge and made realistic cinemas which were humanistic at core and simple in narration. The purpose of the movement was to present the plight of post war Italian society. They focus on problems like unemployment, poverty, lack of faith etc and were truthful to experience. As Critic Andre Bazin suggested, it introduced a new aesthetic to the language of cinema.

credit: third party image reference
   Some of the key features of the movement were

1. They worked on low budget cinema on the Italian economy faced crisis in 1940
2. Cast of non professional actors.
3. Natural lighting.
4. Outdoor shooting , etc 

The movement was a creative rebellion in two ways . First of all it challenged the American entertainment cinemas with its humanistic serious concern. Second, it created a new language of cinema which was based on a realistic, truthful and humanistic ideology. They asked serious question on various socio-political issue and became the voice of the people. Their use of outdoor shooting became a feature of post war film making. It placed common people at the centre of the cinema and their survival in its serious concern.

credit: third party image reference
As the events take a smooth turn, tragedy strikes. His bicycle is stolen on the first day of his employment by another desperate man. The police offer no help and Antonio and his son Bruno search for the bicycle everywhere in the city. It was fruitless except they doubt an elderly man who treats them impolitely. While they are searching for the thief, they find the thief but fail to catch him due to the lack of evidence. Desperate, Antonio asks Bruno to get on the bus and attempts to steal a bicycle and being chased by a group of people. Antonio is caught and chastised by the pursuers, although the owner presses not to charge. The father and son begin walking down the street and Antonio starts to cry as the two disappear into a crowd.