Interrelations of an Eternal Demise

In this ever-changing society, movies offer escapism, and a different point of reference to acknowledge and understand culture, environment, people, places, and things. Moreover, cinema echoes a sense of veracity, and reflects our society. This paper, will concentrate on four films - Germany Year Zero, The 400 Blows, Los Olvidados, and Sugar Cane Alley. Furthermore, it will analyze the significance of Italian neorealism and the French new wave movement in Germany Year Zero and The 400 Blows; and compare and contrast Germany Year Zero, The 400 Blows, Los Olvidados, and Sugar Cane Alley using the theme of troubled adolescents and poverty.

Italian neorealism is a film movement that began in 1943. A narrative that illustrates some aspect of the poor and working class characterizes Italian neorealism. Furthermore, long takes shot on location, and utilization of nonprofessional actors for secondary and primary roles reflect the film movement. Italian neorealist films usually reflect changes in the Italian psyche and the conditions of everyday life, such as loss, poverty, and despair. Nonetheless, specific definitions of what Italian neorealism represents vary. According to Peter Bondanella, "the label itself is confusing, for it limits the parameters of any critical debate to concern with the connection between the films produced and the society or culture which produced them." [1] If this is true then perhaps any society or culture can produce aspects of Italian neorealism. The remainder of the paper will connote Italian neorealism simply as neorealism - a transition started and employed by Roberto Rossellini.