A landmark of Italian neorealism approaching its 80th anniversary, Roberto Rossellini’s portrait of life under Nazi occupation remains remarkable for its immediacy, tension and power.
Made in extraordinarily straitened circumstances, immediately after the liberation of Rome, the film follows Manfredi (Marcello Pagliero), a partisan leader, as he attempts to evade the Gestapo by enlisting the help of Pina (Anna Magnani) and Don Pietro (Aldo Fabrizi), the priest due to oversee Pina’s marriage.
Shot both on the ravaged streets of the city and in the studio, Rome, Open City has inspired and influenced countless filmmakers.
Credits
Italy 1945
103min
Dir Roberto Rossellini
With Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Marcello Pagliero
Venues
May
From 17 May
BFI Southbank
Broadway Nottingham
HOME
IFI Dublin
Showroom Sheffield
Arthouse Crouch End
Glasgow Film Theatre
Tyneside
From 24 May
Queen’s Film Theatre Belfast
From 25 May
DCA Dundee
From 26 May
Electric Shoreditch
Soho House White City
From 27 May
Soho Farmhouse
From 27 May
Warwick Arts Centre
From 28 May
Courtyard Hereford
From 31 May
Watershed Bristol
Derby Quad
June
From 3 June
Palas Galway
From 9 June
JW3
From 12 June
Depot Lewes
From 16 June
Phoenix East Finchley
MAC Birmingham
From 21 June
Stamford Arts Centre
From 22 June
Palace Broadstairs
More to be announced