Analysis Of The Movie Paisan - 973 Words

Paisan is a revolutionary, documentary-style film, consisting of six separate but seemingly related episodes. Director Roberto Rossellini uses this film to portray the drastic consequences of war on a nation, the people, and overall society. Neorealism was a pivotal movement, and Paisan brought attention to the Fascist influence by showing the harsh economic and social reality of World War II. Rossellini also uses Paisan to allude to regionalism and the importance of a unified nation. Paisan exposes a fundamental truth and emphasizes a need for reconstruction through the use of a complex setting, elements of humanity, and reoccurring themes of revival. Each episode is set in a different geographic region, all feeling the intricacy and†¦show more content†¦Throughout each episode there is vivid pictures of ruins. This representation shows the mass destruction resulting from war, as well as the lasting effect on humanity. The first episode takes place south of Sicily as an American soldier, Joe, and an Italian teenager, Carmela, try to communicate after Carmela safely led a group of American soldiers. At one point, Joe and Carmela are alone and struggling to converse because of the language barrier. They do not understand each other’s ways and dialect. Joe and Carmela end up bonding as Joe speaks of loneliness and homesickness, demonstrating a connection aspect between varying cultures. This feature of communication is broken when violence interferes and Joe is killed. Carmela shows obvious sorrow over the loss, displaying realism and progressing the relationship between Italians and Americans. This episode introduces a multitude of themes that present themselves again later in Paisan. Joe and Carmela’s language barrier is an effort at a mutual understanding and interaction between Italians and Americans. As an opening episode, this scene shows a level of vivid reality and brings awarene ss to humanity. Rossellini leaves room in each episode for individual interpretation, sympathy, and revivalist connections. By showing ruins and killings in different episodes, Rossellini highlights liberation and injustice while offering an opportunity for audience