A shot of "Open City"
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A human, credible story of "little people" during the German occupation of Rome.
Gestapo agents chase partisans and people that provide them with information and goods.
Absolutely supreme performance by Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi (two of the finest Italian actors). A film which changed the history and the way of making cinema, showing on the screen social reality and a way of portraying which can be considered as the beginning of Neo-Realism.
Roma today: 2000 years of history passes before the eyes of anyone visiting Rome, the Eternal City, the largest open-air museum in the world. Rossellini's Rome is a shattered city suffering the throes of war and occupation by enemy troops. What has changed since the days of Rossellini? Quite a bit! Following W.W.II, Rome experienced a period of uncontrolled urban expansion which greatly extended its city limits. In 'Open City', there was not yet an underground rail system, and not a lot of cars...or even motor-scooters, for that matter! To imagine the city today without their noise and ensuing exhaust is impossible!
Adieu, romantic Dolce Vita. But don't worry, the Basilica di San Pietro pictured here still beckons!!
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Piazza San Pietro today |
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