EXCLUSIVELY AT THE IFI

Closing this Thursday, March 20th. Tickets now on sale

Newly restored, Roberto Rosselini’s stunning anti-war statement is available to be seen in cinemas once again. Described by Martin Scorsese as “the most precious moment of film history”, it is a film that still radiates authenticity. Rome, Open City was developed while the eternal city was under occupation and shot shortly after Nazi withdrawal; its striking immediacy, tension and powerfulness would define it as a key example of what would come to be referred to as neorealism.

Reportedly based on the experiences of real people and filmed amid the ruins of the city, Marcello Pagliero is an engineer attempting to evade the Germans and the collaborating Italian authorities, the wonderful Anna Magnani appears in her breakthrough role as the fiancée of a fellow member of the underground resistance and Aldo Fabrizi plays a priest sympathetic to the partisan cause. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly!

★★★★★ The Irish Times