La Strada

To be shown: 8 April 2002

Italy 1954 (subtitles)
108 minutes
Directed by Federico Fellini
Leading players - Giulietta Masina, Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart

Synopsis

A simple young girl (Giulietta Masina) is sold by her mother to an itinerant strongman (Anthony Quinn). He is rough and brutish but she accepts her life with him. They join a circus and she is befriended by a young tightrope walker (Richard Basehart). He is sensitive and responsive to her innocence and in a famous scene when they look at the stars the main theme emerges: that everyone, no matter how insignificant, has worth and should be valued.

* * * * * *

Last season Nights of Cabiria, also directed by Fellini, topped the voting. For those who missed the screening here is a chance to see the film many consider his masterpiece. American Richard Basehart gives a memorable performance but it is the mesmerising Masina whose face haunts all viewers of this classic of Italian cinema.

Oscar Winner - Best Foreign Language Film 1956.