socio-culture of italian neorealism
Before the Second World War, Italy was under control of Benito Mussolini and his fascist dictatorship. When the “Fascist Party seized power in 1922, it gradually appropriated the [filmmaking] medium for its own ends and gave directors such as Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica and Luchino Visconti, a strong grounding in film” (Ryan, 2012). The outbreak of war in 1945 “and anti-fascist resistance proved to be the catalyst for neorealism” (Ryan, 2012). Although the Italian people were oppressed under fascist rule, the film industry was supported by the Party, and therefore most films made during this period were propaganda films (Ricci, 2008, p 20). Producers had vast control in positioning the audience to conform to Italian fascism before the Second World War. However, due to the independent nature of the Italian Neorealist film movement, producers were utilitarian and simply aided in organising equipment. When the democratic government was born following the Second World War, there were no governmental producers to have creative control over a project. An Italian Neorealist film wasn’t about following a producer’s vision, it was about letting the story speak for itself – genuinely, authentically.