Italian Neorealism - Main Formal Elements

Location Shooting

 

Long Takes

 

Unobtrusive editing

 

Natural lighting (available light)

 

Contemporary subject matter (1940s)

 

Working-class characters

 

Mix of professional/non-professional actors

 

Dialogue in vernacular Italian

 

Open-ended plot (unlike CHC plot style)

* Caveat: Like any film movement, there is no total uniformity of style, no one "pure" example of perfect neorealism.