Roberto Rossellini’s Roma Cittá Aperta is considered unanimously one of the masterpieces of Italian Neorealism, and in general of cinema of all times. 

Set in Nazi-occupied Rome in 1944, the film intertwines the lives of several characters resisting nazifascist oppression: Giorgio Manfredi, a communist leader of the Resistance; Don Pietro, a courageous Catholic priest aiding the partisans underground; and Pina, a pregnant widow engaged to Francesco, another fellow Resistance fighter. As persecution intensifies, the cost of resistance becomes painfully clear, testing their strength and convictions. Through moments of suffering and resilience, the story captures the brutal reality of war while hinting at the enduring hope for Italy liberated from Nazifascism. 

Shot amidst the ruins of post-war Rome on a shoestring budget, the film used mostly non-professional actors and only a few notable stars (who used to be famous for rather comedy films) and salvaged film stock to achieve its gritty authenticity. It became a manifesto of Italian Neorealism, which revolutionised the art of cinema by moving it outside of studios and, consequently, focusing on ordinary people and real-life struggles in the aftermath of World War II. 

The first of a “Trilogy on War” by Rossellini – the two other films being Paisà (1946) and Germania anno zero (1948) – the film won the Grand Prix at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. Praised for its emotional depth and political urgency, Roma Città Aperta remains a landmark in film history, capturing Italy’s post-war trauma and resistance while inspiring filmmakers worldwide. With one of the most iconic and famous scenes of the history of cinema, Roma Città Aperta has been referred to as one of the most inspirational films by later generations of filmmakers, such as François Truffaut and Martin Scorsese. Film critic Gian Piero Brunetta wrote that “it is the first film to embark on a path toward a re-humanised horizon, to imagine the reconquest of harmony within a destroyed and disrupted space”, whereas Otto Preminger declared that “the history of cinema is divided into two eras: one before and one after Roma Città Aperta."

The screening is part of Malmö Antifascista's curated film program Cinema Resistenza.

April 25: The Anniversary of the Italian Liberation from Nazism and Fascism, known as Festa della Liberazione or simply 25 aprile, is a national holiday celebrated every 25 April to commemorate the end of Nazi occupation and the Fascist regime in Italy in 1945. This year we meet to celebrate its 80th anniversary. Join in!

25 April 2025, h. 17:30, Möllevångstorget, Malmö

We will sing songs (who doesn't know "Bella Ciao"?), read poems, and listen to talks on why it is important to continue resisting every form of fascism.

ABOUT MALMÖ ANTIFASCISTA
Malmö Antifascista is an Italian-speaking collective of antifascists active in the area of Malmö since October 2023. They arrange different types of study activities on fascism, antifascism and resistance, with an internationalist perspective and a special attention towards the Italian and the Swedish political context. Join Malmö Antifascista's Facebook group or mailing list to receive updates on their activities.