Vittorio De Sica’s landmark of postwar neo-realism is a simple yet powerful and rich story. Even today, De Sica’s landmark of postwar neo-realism retains its relevance – and its emotional punch.

The story is simple – a bill-poster and his son search for the stolen bike the former depends on for his new job – but De Sica’s attention to telling details (a pawnbroker’s huge warehouse, a clairvoyant’s salon) provides a rich, vivid picture of a Rome wracked by poverty, unemployment and desperation. While there are sly moments of gentle humour, the film – a symphony of memorable faces and cityscapes shot with a fierce, desolate lyricism by Carlo Montuori – never shies from showing the terrible strain placed on the father’s morale and on his relationship with his wife and son. Powerful indeed.

14 - 27 August

……………………………………………………………………………………….

COMPETITION: Win 1x pair of tickets for Bicycle Thieves at BFI Southbank on Saturday 15th August at 18:20. To enter the competition, send an email to bojana@run-riot.com with the correct answer in the ‘subject’ box. The winner will be randomly selected.

Q: Vittorio De Sica was a leading figure of:

A: 1) the neorealist movement 2) film noir 3) SF