Social concerns of humanity in Bicycle Thief
The most significant events in cinema and art in the early 1940s were the emergence and rapid development of the Italian neorealism. Moreover, it was one of the most striking and perhaps the first major artistic phenomenon of the post-war years, not only in Italy but also all over the world. Neorealism as a movement, which arose in post-war time, offered a close look into the everyday life of ordinary people. Originating in the wake of the resistance in the upsurge of the democratic movement, neorealism brought together a wide variety of filmmakers, mostly young debutants, united in hatred of fascism, in an effort to truthfully tell the real life of Italy and its citizens. Neorealism made a real …show more content…
The film explores the life of Antonio Ricci, a poor Italian man who gets a job because he has a bicycle. However, Antonio’s bike is stolen, and he is desperately trying to find it in order he could keep his job, so he starts his search with his son Bruno. Eventually, they don’t find the bike, and Antonio is forced to commit a crime himself to steal a bike. As Antonio tries to escape with stolen bike, he gets chased by a crowd of people who help to catch him. What makes this moment important is that Antonio’s son witnesses everything. As crowd shamefully walks Antonio to police station, the tearful Bruno runs up to his father. This is the most intense and emotionally traumatic part of the film. After the owner of the bike takes a quick glance at Bruno he decides to let Antonio go. Probably the owner of the bike believes that it was quite teachable lesson for Antonio, and more significant for Bruno as he is the one who will represent Italy’s future. As soon as Antonio was freed Bruno reluctantly takes father’s hand. They both look confused and isolated from society. Even though there is no bike, no job, no money for food, this dramatic, emotional, and at the same time realistic scene possibly shows that there is still little hope, faith in a better
The most significant events in cinema and art in the early 1940s were the emergence and rapid development of the Italian neorealism. Moreover, it was one of the most striking and perhaps the first major artistic phenomenon of the post-war years, not only in Italy but also all over the world. Neorealism as a movement, which arose in post-war time, offered a close look into the everyday life of ordinary people. Originating in the wake of the resistance in the upsurge of the democratic movement, neorealism brought together a wide variety of filmmakers, mostly young debutants, united in hatred of fascism, in an effort to truthfully tell the real life of Italy and its citizens. Neorealism made a real …show more content…
The film explores the life of Antonio Ricci, a poor Italian man who gets a job because he has a bicycle. However, Antonio’s bike is stolen, and he is desperately trying to find it in order he could keep his job, so he starts his search with his son Bruno. Eventually, they don’t find the bike, and Antonio is forced to commit a crime himself to steal a bike. As Antonio tries to escape with stolen bike, he gets chased by a crowd of people who help to catch him. What makes this moment important is that Antonio’s son witnesses everything. As crowd shamefully walks Antonio to police station, the tearful Bruno runs up to his father. This is the most intense and emotionally traumatic part of the film. After the owner of the bike takes a quick glance at Bruno he decides to let Antonio go. Probably the owner of the bike believes that it was quite teachable lesson for Antonio, and more significant for Bruno as he is the one who will represent Italy’s future. As soon as Antonio was freed Bruno reluctantly takes father’s hand. They both look confused and isolated from society. Even though there is no bike, no job, no money for food, this dramatic, emotional, and at the same time realistic scene possibly shows that there is still little hope, faith in a better