From neorealism to italian comedy

Abstract

The neorealist period of Italian cinema began in the immediate aftermath (1945), with its most important and intense production period between 1945 and 1948. At the same time, the “commedia all’italiana” was developed, with its own characteristics, with power of attraction within the Italian public. In the “commedia all’italiana” there is a continuation of neorealist themes (social differences and post-war Italy, unemployment, agrarian issues, homelessness, etc.), which could be tackled with less fear of the pressure of censorship, since this kept its attention tended with more commitment to the ‘serious’ cinema. The public was attracted by the way in which arguments were treated, less crude and sad than that of neorealist cinema: for this type of cinema allowed the identification of the public with stories similar to its own and with social themes that addressed the difficulties by which all passed, provided they were treated in a comical and amusing way. The “commedia all’italiana” presents a catalog of Italian stereotypes at a time when a new national identity was being built and felt the need to leave in search of new paths to be followed.