A Peaceful Chaos

“As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

—Nelson Mandela

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This film entitled Umberto D. is one of the best Italian neorealist films directed by Vittorio De Sica. It focuses on the struggle of an old man striving to pay his debt to the landlady who was very rude and mean to him. However, having his dog by his side, Umberto was able to remind himself the beauty and essence of life.

Technically speaking, on the other hand, medium shot was established as well when Flike was heading towards the children. In this scene, Umberto was staring to them sadly as he sees the excitement to Flike’s face, but Umberto decided to just walk away and that was when a long shot was being slowly established. Personally, I can say that the long shot conveyed the distance that Umberto has developed between Flike and other people. Also, one of my observations while watching the film was the close up shots where Umberto attempted to commit suicide with his dog—Flike. During that scene, the music transitioning was from horrific to cheery, displaying Umberto’s struggle to prevail his hopeful heart. Umberto’s hindrances most especially his struggle to pay his rent reflects the poverty present during the mid 1900’s.

During this time, Italy was involved in World War I and film productions adapted the idea of sadistic and depressing conditions of people, taking away the faith of average citizens who were striving to survive that time. Similarly, Umberto faces many challenges as he aims to retain his dignity and save his home at the same time. He sold some of his possessions including his watch ti keep his home. However, the landlady refused to take his money, and decided to destroy his room instead. The film was realistic in nature since it exhibits the struggle with poverty which can be encountered by an average citizen. The long shots used in the scenes envisions death, but it helped us see the sense of distance between Umberto and his desire to live, to keep his home, to preserve the life he has. 

But above all, I have come to realize that we never really understand a person until we consider things from their point of view.

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