In six short episodes, Rossellini characterises the liberation of Italy after WW2 in one of the great masterpieces of Italian Neorealism. Paisan is the second film of the ‘Neorealist Trilogy’. It is divided into six episodes set in the Italian Campaign during World War II. First episode: A Sicilian girl befriends an American soldier. When the two are killed, the US soldier believes he has betrayed. Second episode: A Napolitan rascal steals the boots from an Afro-american soldier. But when the soldier discovers where the young Italian girl lives, he is moved with pity and leaves the shoes behind him. Third episode: A Roman girl forced into prostitution encounters a soldier she had met on liberation day. But he does not want to have anything to do with her anymore. Fifth episode: Three American chaplains of different confessions are welcomed to stay the night at a newly liberated Roman Catholic monastery. When they sit down to supper, they understand that the monks have decided to convert the two heretics, one protestant, one jewish, in hopes of gaining the favour of heaven. Sixth episode, partisans and US paratroops are the victims of the ferocity of the German Nazis. One of the great masterpieces of Italian Neorealism.

Keywords

• Escape to the 40's
• Into the Real: Movies Starring Non-Professional Actors
• Italian Cinema
• Italian success

Actors

• Benjamin Emanuel
• Carmela Sazio
• Robert Van Loon
• Renzo Avanzo
• Dots M. Johnson
• Carlo Pisacane
• Achille Siviero
• Albert Heinze
• Alfonsino Pasca
• Maria Michi
• Harriet White
• Leonard Penish
• Harold Wagner
• Gigi Gori
• Mats Carlson
• Gar Moore
• Merlin Berth
• Renzo Rossellini
• Raymond Campbell
• Lorena Berg

Director

• Roberto Rossellini