Issues in the Film 'Ladri Di Biciclette'

Italian Essay – Despite its apparent simple story, Ladri di biciclette has been described as ‘a very carefully composed film which touches on a wide range of issues’. What issues does the film deal with in your opinion?

Ladri di biciclette is a story concerning the poorer part of society and the struggle to live with a sense of consistent stability. Set in post-WWII Rome, it is the life story of Antonio who, facing the same problems as many other lower class Italians, attempts to support and play a paternal role in his family. This film is fascinating for multiple reasons; primarily because the cast consists of non-professionals, the ‘actor’ playing Antonio being a blue collar worker; this supports the sense of neorealism present throughout the film (Liehm 1984 p 75).

This film touches the underlying problems that Italy faced post-war during their attempt at reviving the economy and their society. The opening scene is a prime example of this where we see dozens of people waiting to be given a job, showing their desperation through acting selfishly, encompassing the idiom ‘every man for himself’. As Antonio remarks that he does not have a bicycle others step up to the opportunity. Despite being skilled labour they are forced, through the lack of employment to take on unskilled work. This scene ingeniously provides the audience with a picture of a society trying to rebuild itself after war, with many people being left unemployed and living in poverty.

The film tries to show that such cases of minor crime is a common predicament, this is suggested through the lack of surprise from Antonio’s friends and family upon hearing about the theft of his bicycle. This is reinforced by the large number of bicycles being dismantled and repainted at Porta Portese, the majority arriving there by dishonest means.

The lack of structure in society is depicted through the absence of the educational system, exemplified by the treatment of children in the film and their...