The film mainly talks about the disasters brought to the people by war. War not only plunges people into hunger and poverty, but also produces abnormal psychology of children. On the surface, the film blames the child’s father-killing and suicidal psychology on a teacher’s educational mistakes, but in fact it is exposing German Nazism, believing that they are the root of all these evils.
"Germania, anno zero", "Rome Unfortified City" and "Fire of War" are also known as The Republic of Italy Neorealism director Rossellini's "post-war trilogy". The film was born in the heyday of The Republic of Italy Neorealism and has caused extensive and intense discussion. It occupies an important position in the history of The Republic of Italy.
Germania, anno zero: Since ancient times, the killer has been a teenager
With haunting images and unforgettable performances by ordinary citizens (non-professional actors), director Roberto Rossellini uses this film to demonstrate the harm caused by fascism 's brainwashing of an entire generation.
As the photo shows, this is Germany, Berlin after World War II.
Everything has to start again, so this is Germany's zero year.
Year zero is the starting point of a new era, and it should be full of hope. But Edmundo certainly opposed it. The ruins he saw were all shaky and disorganized. Usually the same happens on construction sites, but there will be scaffolding on it. Window openings without scaffolding can only be used to outline the ruins.
There was no one in the ruins, and Edmundo walked in, feeling that he had become a part of it. Those big walls, standing there, were ordinary, but when they fell, they were thrilling. Therefore, as a wall, the collapse is its most glorious moment.
There are many children who are like Edmundo. When I saw this scene, I immediately thought of Mouchette, Robert Bresson 's Mouchette, just because it was a girl. The children at that time knew turbulence and violence the most. They don't even understand who abandoned themselves. Adults do not know this question. Edmundo's father is sick in bed, he considers himself a burden, and is looking forward to the world abandon him. Edmundo's brother didn't always lie on the ground like this, but once he did that, I thought of China's old society. Originally , Neorealism of The Republic of Italy is similar to the Chinese.
Edmundo's brother became a specimen. He was lying on the ground, there was the lowest part of the room, and he was also the lowest in the family, so low that he didn't even have an identity. He was a Nazi soldier before the defeat, but now he can only hide at home.
Surviving on the ground is the way for my brother to survive. It can't be lower, because below the ground is the tomb.
No one in the family knew what Edmundo was doing. In fact, he was doing illegal business with his former teacher. Hitler's speech echoed in the ruins, and reactionary passion was the basis of the transaction. Selling these things is of course forbidden. Even more unfortunately, the teacher also worked with him to gain a living power from the inspiring Nazi propaganda.
The 12-year-old became steady and stoic. He could already poison his father's tea leaves calmly, which made him fulfill his wish. In addition to this incident, Edmundo is still very responsible, even if the children on the street don't play with him, he is not angry.
When he came to this abandoned building, Edmundo looked out from various windows, admiring all kinds of pedestrians and street scenes. He also threw a stone, watching it hit the opposite wall and fell, echoing crisply. Muschett is more fierce than him, because she throws stones at her little friend.
It is good to fall with a crackling sound like that stone, as brilliant as the collapse of a wall. Falling and being watched is a perfect end, but you must pay attention to some details and not be too embarrassed. In 1967, Robert Bresson let Muschett roll from the grass slope into the water, creating a new model of suicide by throwing himself into the river. In 1947, Roberto Rossellini also urged his Edmundo to choose the most suitable position, and then fell coldly.
Falling into the water and falling from a building, Muschett's suicide and Edmundo's suicide, were unexpectedly silent.
The film accuses the war, which not only plunges the people into hunger and poverty, but also distorts the psychology of children. The long shot of the opening shows the full picture of the ruins of Berlin before the fall of the Nazis in 1945. It is both realistic and like a psychedelic journey. On the surface, the film blames the child’s father-killing and suicidal psychology on a teacher’s educational mistakes, but in fact it is exposing German Nazism, believing that they are the root of all these evils. This is also the main reason why the film has caused intense controversy.
