Bicycle Thieves
DFI Cinema - Doha Film Institute
Vittorio De Sica / Italy / 1948 / 89 min / Black & White / DCP / In Italian / Arabic, English subtitles
Themes : Drama
Rated: 
Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an individual aged 18 or older.
Description
In this neorealist classic, Ricci, an unemployed family man in post-WWII Italy, is desperate for a good job. He gets one hanging up posters across Rome, which he needs a bicycle for. Soon after, his bike is stolen and he and his son venture into the streets of the capital in search of it. When the bike is finally located, and the thief is caught, Ricci, having no proof, is forced to let it and the thief go. Both Ricci and his family know that without a bike, he cannot keep his job.
Director
Vittorio De Sica
Vittorio De Sica was born into poverty in Sora, Italy (1901). He started his career as an office clerk to support his family but his passion for acting led him to join a theatre company soon afterwards, where he established himself in the Italian light comedies of the time. He turned to directing during the 1940’s but it was not until his fifth film, 'The Children Are Watching Us' (1944), that he revealed hidden depth and talent. Four of his films won him Academy Awards, with the awarding of 'Shoeshine' (1946) and 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948) with honorary Oscars, widely considered precursors of the Foreign Film category.
Credits
- Screenwriter
- Cesare Zavattini
- Producer
- Giuseppe Amato, Vittorio De Sica
- Cinematographer
- Carlo Montuori
- Editor
- Eraldo Da Roma
- Music
- Alessandro Cicognini
- Cast
- Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell