What is Neo Realism?

Neo Realism, or Italian Neorealism, represents a film movement that is more widely known as the Golden Age. Which has been characterized nationally. One of several forms of structural realism that makes up film theory from post-World War II era Italy. Neo Realism is a common movement in film that was widely seen throughout the 1940s and 1950s. But what is Neo Realism?

What is Neo Realism?

Italian neorealism or the Golden Age of filmmaking was a national film movement that was characterized by stories that were largely set among the poor or the working class.

Moreover, they were filmed on location for the most realistic impact. And they frequently used non-professional actors for added realistic impression.

Most of the stories that were reflected in the Golden Age are those which represented difficult economic situations that were underway during the post-World War era of Italy.

Everyday life was tough, and conditions were that of opulence, poverty, oppression, and injustice. All of which neo realism aimed to bring forth for all to see.

Neo Realist Style

The neorealist style would ultimately be developed by film critics that largely worked for the magazine Cinema. Together.

Although they were mostly prevented from writing about politics. The critics would attack films that dominated the industry. And which largely blocked out realistic representation. 

Realistic Approach

The neorealism era was bound by elements that resembled documentary style films and which largely provided a realistic approach.

The neorealism approach would continue into the early 1950s. But eventually the socialist parties that were largely behind the neorealism style would begin to struggle.

Struggle in that their ability to present their messages of despair. Which was viewed as demoralizing to the nation. And was otherwise hopeful for prosperity and change. Furthermore, neorealism would largely fall out of place within the film industry.

Less Realistic Approach

By the mid 1950s transitional style films that largely showed a push towards more lavish film sets, and a less realistic approach would come forth.

So what is neorealism? A film era that was coined by realistic approaches to showcasing the social concerns of humanity.

As they stood in Italy at the time while alienating views that veered outside the post-war economic suffering that was primarily the focus.

The era would last about 10 to 15 years and would soon fall off for various other film approaches that offered a slightly less realism centered approach.