The term Neorealism refers to a set of films made in Italy at the end of World War 2. This was a time when the country was in ruins and the Italian film industry was on its knees: the main film studios in Rome (Cinecittà) had been expropriated and turned into refuge camps; equipment to shoot films was extremely hard to find and electrical power supply was very limited. Rather than making film production impossible, these obstacles actually instigated the emergence of a new way of making films. Shooting on location and in available light became a necessity; and because of the impact of the war on the landscape, contemporary reality became the inevitable prime subject matter. In addition, non-professional actors were widely cast to play leading roles, often next to more experienced actors. This particular way of making films had a huge influence around the world: the famous Indian director Satyajit Ray talked about his encounter with neorealism as a life-changing experience; but Neorealism also influenced heavily Hollywood cinema and represented an ideal reference point for the French New wave.The course will provide an overview of Neorealist cinema within its particular social, economic and industrial contexts. Students will learn what particular formal and technical specificities characterized Neorealist filmmaking. They will also explore the aesthetic and ethical significance of Neorealism in the context of world cinema and its particular attitude to reality.