As the BFI host a season of Italian neo realist films by auteur actor-director Vittorio de Sica, we select our favourites:
Vittorio de Sica: Umberto D. at the BFI London South Bank
An institute of Italian neorealist film, Umberto D. is the work that de Sica prided above all others as, supposedly, did Ingmar Bergman.
The film is A heartbreaking tale of an ageing government worker's struggles in an pitiless world.
An understated neo realist film
Umberto D. is Umberto Domenico Ferrari, a retired civil servant who is faced with eviction by his unsympathetic and greedy landlady. Rejected by society and with only his dog Flike as a friend, the impoverished Umberto becomes destitute and struggles to retain a sense of personal pride whilst attempting to survive a society that will shame him. Forced to make difficult decisions, Umberto's journey is a metaphysical one.
Bravery in resourcefulness
With an uplifting message that points towards bravery in resourcefulness, Umberto D. is one of de Sica's most emotive works without going too far or spoon-feeding its audience. With understated pathos, Umberto D. takes viewers to the heart of de Sica's Italy, showing empathy in resilience and depths of feeling.
London BFI tickets
The film will be screening twice at the BFI during the Vittorio de Sica season: on Tuesday 4 August it will be joined by an introduction by film scholar and critic Pasquale Iannone. Click here for BFI tickets to the Vittorio de Sica season.
Vittorio de Sica: Umberto D. at the BFI London South Bank
An institute of Italian neorealist film, Umberto D. is the work that de Sica prided above all others as, supposedly, did Ingmar Bergman.
The film is A heartbreaking tale of an ageing government worker's struggles in an pitiless world.
An understated neo realist film
Umberto D. is Umberto Domenico Ferrari, a retired civil servant who is faced with eviction by his unsympathetic and greedy landlady. Rejected by society and with only his dog Flike as a friend, the impoverished Umberto becomes destitute and struggles to retain a sense of personal pride whilst attempting to survive a society that will shame him. Forced to make difficult decisions, Umberto's journey is a metaphysical one.
Bravery in resourcefulness
With an uplifting message that points towards bravery in resourcefulness, Umberto D. is one of de Sica's most emotive works without going too far or spoon-feeding its audience. With understated pathos, Umberto D. takes viewers to the heart of de Sica's Italy, showing empathy in resilience and depths of feeling.
London BFI tickets
The film will be screening twice at the BFI during the Vittorio de Sica season: on Tuesday 4 August it will be joined by an introduction by film scholar and critic Pasquale Iannone. Click here for BFI tickets to the Vittorio de Sica season.
Looking for more?
Read our selection of films in the Vittorio de Sica retrospective
| What | Umberto D |
| Where | BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, Southbank, London, SE1 8XT | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Waterloo (underground) |
| When |
On 04 Aug 15, With introduction by film scholar and critic Pasquale Iannone. On 08 Aug 15, 6:00 PM – 7:29 PM |
| Price | £10 |
| Website | Click here to book via the BFI website. |
