319. Le Notti Di Cabiria (Nights of Cabiria) (1957)

Directed By Federico Fellini


Synopsis

The film follows the life of a prostitute in Rome and her exploits looking for love. She doesn't really find it.

Review

Finally Italian cinema is moving slightly away from the emotional exploitativeness of Neo-Realism. There are of course elements of that trend still here, but it's about time to move on. There were two great Neo-Realist films: Bicycle Thieves and Rome, Open City, after that it all felt old hat. Fellini is the man to move us out of this, however.

The social realism of the film is present not only in the theme of it but in the portrayal of the downtrodden members of society not only in prostitution but people living in caves and the family that buys Cabiria's house. This is, however, tempered by more interesting and slightly surreal themes, from the night club she goes to with the film star to the film star's house and the magical/hypnotic show she attends and performs in, there is enough to keep you fascinated as you follow this woman's life.

Giulietta Masina as Cabiria is a great actress, as she had already shown in La Strada, here she allows to to at the same time find her annoying but also to empathise greatly with her situation. She is the ultimate "whore with a heart of gold" whose heart is constantly shattered. A very good film.

Final Grade

8/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

Fellini's wife, Giulietta Masina, plays Cabiria Ceccarelli, a feisty but naive prostitute in Ostia, then a seedy section of Rome. The name Cabiria is borrowed from the 1914 Italian film Cabiria, while the character of Cabiria herself is taken from a brief scene in Fellini's earlier film The White Sheik.

Trailer: