Paisan (1946)

 Roberto Rossellini's "Paisan"


After the rousing success of 1945's "Rome Open City," Roberto Rossellini continued with the neo-realist style with another depiction of the liberation of Italy. With 1946's "Paisan," Rossellini tells six episodic stories all centering on the partnership between the American military and both the Italian military and its citizens. Although not as critically and commercial successful as "Rome Open City," "Paisan" still managed to become an important Italian film that demonstrated the continued success of neo-realism as well as communicated sentiments about the war and its far-reaching effects.

Each episode contains different characters in different parts of Italy. Each episode all features different aspects of the war raging in the country. Each episode also contains immense tragedy and heartbreak.

Although I did not engage with "Paisan" and much as I did with Rossellini's first film "Rome Open City," it was still well worth a watch and completely enthralling. Each episode dealt with how the war and its continuation creates a necessity for people to come together and help each other. Despite all the tragedy taking place all around the characters, it only brings them closer to together and forces them into a shared empathy for their fellow human beings. It's a film filmed with immense hope, while also acknowledging the immense suffering taking place right alongside this hope. 



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