Review of Paisa (2013) by Maarrk H — 05 Aug 2010
The middle entry in Rossellini's war trilogy, which is sandwiched between Rome Open City and Germany Year Zero, is radically different than the other two films in the series. In Rome Open City, Rossellini explores the effects of fascism in Italy and Germany Year Zero explored the post-apocalyptic aftermath of World War II in Germany.
Both are heartbreakingly naturalistic tour-de-forces, but Paisan is a much quieter and subtler exploration of the apocalypse. For starters, Rossellini does not simply develop one story but insteads create a collage-like omnibus film that features the stories of various ordinary people from various nations during the Allied liberation of Italy.
From a group of young American soldiers to Italian monks, Paisan features stories of desolation and destruction but it also features stories that harbor some sense of hope in face of chaos. Paisan is a moving series of tales that unravel against a background of frenzied destruction across the Italian peninsula.
It is powerful, political cinema at its finest, but it also a film simply about people and the tragedies and triumps they face on a daily basis.
This review of Paisa (2013) was written by Maarrk H on 05 Aug 2010.
Paisa has generally received positive reviews.
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