For every Gelsomina there is a Zampano. But it should not be like that !!!

La Strada (1954) directed by Federico Fellini.

La Strada is a highly philosophical tale of religious symbolism,human conduct,remorse and repentance made by one of the greatest masters of world cinema Federico Fellini.For millions of followers of serious cinema genre,he is regarded as one of the greatest dreamers of the world cinema.By making this film, Fellini has made a masterpiece which has accommodated all of his favorite themes like circus,church, male-female relationships etc.La Strada is also outstanding as a visual social comment on the state of affairs of post war Italian society.It was a time of economic misery and people were forced to abandon their children in order to make them earn for the family.The theme of circus is of value to the film as it was the only thing which provided laughs to the people dejected by the trauma of Italy's defeat in World War II.The best tribute that canstrong people can pay to Fellini is by not harassing the weak ones.Richard Basehart looks divine as the fool. Anthony Quinn is devilish as Zampano.Guiletta Masina is sublime as Gelsomina. It was this role which won her worldwide acclaim. If one is looking for a film able to make people better "La Strada" is that very film.

An obedient dog is a man's best friend.

Umberto D. (1952) directed by Vittorio de Seca.


Vittorio De Sica once remarked that why should film makers go in search of extraordinary events when in the course of their daily lives they are confronted with ordinary events of extraordinary beauty.This statement sums best the very
essence of this Neorealist classic. Umberto D directed by the master Italian filmmaker Vittorio De Sica is a sad albeit ordinary tale of the loss of human values in Italian society after the end of second world war.Everything about the
leading character Umberto D is told in an ordinary indeed prosaic manner.It is rather bizarre but mention must also be made of the poor light in which women characters have been shown.This is due to the fact that in Umberto D,both the
grumpy landlady and unmarried pregnant girl representing loss of moral values are women characters directly associated with the old man.The great thing about Umberto D is its canine protagonist named Flike who serves his master so well
that he even prepares to die for his master's sake.In Umberto D, by showing a faithful dog who remains loyal to his old master,Vittorio De Sica has rightly depicted that animals are more truthful than some human beings.