Italian Neorealism is arguably one of the most influential film movements of the mid-1900s. Exemplified by Italian director, Vittorio De Sica’s critically acclaimed film Bicycle Thieves, distinct neorealist techniques can be found worldwide, notably in François Truffaut’s French New Wave film The 400 Blows. Though released 11 years apart in different parts of Europe, both of these films showcase a similar Italian Neorealist method of filmmaking. This essay will explore the influence of Italian Neorealism on French New Wave filming techniques by comparing a significant film from each movement.
Post-World War II Italy was a time of political and economic crisis. The war left Italy in a distressed state characterized by huge rates of unemployment, …show more content…
This film tells the story of a working class man, Antonio Ricci, trying to survive the economic crisis in post-war Italy. By a stroke of luck he manages to land a job that requires him to own a bicycle, which he buys with the money he gets from selling his sheets. On the first day at his new job, Ricci’s bike gets stolen, and he, with his son Bruno, wander around Rome in attempt to find the thief and get his bike back. After several dead ends and bad luck, Ricci’s desperation grows, ultimately leading him to become a bicycle thief himself and losing all respect Bruno had for him. The film ends meditatively with Bruno and Ricci walking away in the street where they eventually become one with the sea of people. In similar fashion, French director Francois Truffaut’s 1959 film, The 400 Blows, notably employs comparable tactics that achieve a similar style and ambiguity as De Sica’s film. Inspired by Truffaut’s life, The 400 Blows is centered on a young boy, Antoine Doinel, living in Paris, who seen as a troublemaker and struggles with authoritative figures in every aspect of his life. After an array of child-like shenanigans, the film ultimately ends with him running far away from his home to the beach, with the last shot being an ambiguous yet iconic