Category: Neo Realism

Drama, Film, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Panahi’s “Offside” (2006)

Offside+poster

Director: Jafar Panahi

Writers: Jafar Panahi, Shadmehr Rastin

Stars: Sima Mobarak-Shahi, Shayesteh Irani, Ayda Sadeqi

Powerful feminist piece reminiscent of Italian Neorealism. A “behind-the-scenes” film of several women who want to attend a soccer game in Iran but only men are allowed to attend. The women, many of which are disguised as men, are put into a holding pen for the game and this story is about them during the qualifying match.

I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the women are not named. It’s Panahi’s nod to the culture not allowing women to have their own identity.

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Jafar Panahi’s “The Mirror” (1997)

mirror.jpg

Director: Jafar Panahi

Writer: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Mina Mohammad Khani, Aida Mohammadkhani, Kazem Mojdehi

As I conclude my Italian Cinema series, I want to celebrate 2 films that are a direct result of Italian Neo Realism. Both of which come from the Iranian New Wave (a form of neo realism).

“The Mirror” is a story of a little girl trying to get home. If you haven’t seen it, it is one of the most charming films I’ve seen. It’s important to watch the entire movie.

The director, Jafar Panahi, said that the film was meant to show how “reality and the imagination are intertwined, they are very similar”. -Wiki page

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review

Fellini’s “Nights of Cabiria” (1957)

Nights of Cabiria_.jpg

 

Director: Federico Fellini

Writers: Federico Fellini (story), Ennio Flaiano (story)

Married to Federico Fellini (perhaps why we have a feminist piece)? Who directed this.

Beautiful story about a woman seeking to just be loved for who she is.

 

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Rossellini’s “Rome, Open City” (1945)

romeopencity1

Director: Roberto Rossellini

Writers: Sergio Amidei (screenplay) (as A. Amidei), Federico Fellini (collaboration on screenplay) (as F. Fellini)

 

Anna Magnani portrays Pina with one of the most powerful scenes in cinematic history.

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review

De Sica’s “The Bicycle Thief” (“Ladri di Biciclette”) – 1948

ladri di biciclette

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Writers: Cesare Zavattini (story), Luigi Bartolini (novel)

I’m purposefully taking off the Bechdel Test question here because it fails but this film is too important to have less than a perfect score. The fact that it fails the Bechdel Test is actually adds to the story.
1) Strength of the writing: 5
2) Strength of the directing: 5
3) Strength of the acting: 5
4) Strength of the cinematography: 5
5) Strength of the editing: 5
6) Strength of the sound design: 5
7) Strength of the production design: 5
8) Did I enjoy it? 5
9) Would I recommend it? 5
Total scores out of 45/45