Ep. 8 - Bicycle Thieves

In this episode of "Theater Cleaners," Todd and Dom discuss the 1948 Italian neorealist film "Bicycle Thieves," directed by Vittorio De Sica.The film follows Antonio Ricci, an unemployed man in post-World War II Rome, who finally lands a job that requires a bicycle. When his bicycle is stolen on his first day of work, he and his young son Bruno set out on a desperate search through the streets of Rome to recover it.Todd and Dom analyze the film's use of non-professional actors, realistic settings, and natural lighting, all hallmarks of the Italian neorealist movement. They discuss how the film reflects the economic hardships and social inequalities of post-war Italy, and how it portrays the relationship between a father and son.They also examine the film's visual language and how it conveys meaning through small details and gestures, as well as the film's use of sound to create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.Join Todd and Dom as they reflect on the legacy of "Bicycle Thieves" and explore why it remains a timeless masterpiece of world cinema, still relevant and impactful more than 70 years after its release.