OPEN CITY Movie Review

Roma, Citta Aperta
Rome, Open City

A leader in the Italian underground resists Nazi control of the city. Roberto Rossellini's landmark work was filmed in actual locations within months of the Allied liberation of Italy. The film changed virtually everything about the possibilities of moviemaking, since it once and for all discarded all the old certainties about what constituted “documentary” and what was clearly narrative fiction. Open City looked like it was being photographed as events were really happening, and the impact on the movie world was nothing short of revolutionary. The movie paved the way for much of the “New Wave” filmmaking revolution that would follow a decade later, as higher speed film would soon allow shooting on city streets in all sorts of lighting and weather conditions. Rossellini also successfully perpetuated the illusion of real life by blending non-professional cast members with seasoned actors like Anna Magnani, further reducing the visibility of the cinema's already fine border between art and life. A humane, powerful, pioneering work. The screenplay by Rossellini, Sergio Amidei, and Federico Fellini was nominated for an Academy Award.

NEXT STOP … Paisan, The Bicycle Thief, I Vitelloni

1945 103m/B IT Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Marcel Pagliero, Maria Michi,Vito Annicchiarico, Nando Bruno, Harry Feist; D: Roberto Rossellini; W: Federico Fellini, Sergio Amidei. New York Film Critics Awards ‘46: Best Foreign Film; Nominations: Academy Awards ‘46: Best Screenplay. VHS VYY, NOS, DVT