Keepin' it realism

Vidas Secas reminded me an awful lot of a popular Italian neo realist film called the "Bicycle Thief." This is the quintessential neo realist film, and it is not difficult to draw parallels to the themes and imagery of Vidas Secas. Both films address the issues of poverty, or more so... impoverished families. If we look for some sort of realist movement in american cinema, the first thing that comes to my mind would have to be Cassevetes and his cohorts of the revolution in independent film. Though the themes of these films weren't about the issues of scarcity... but of wealth and abundance. The majority of Cassevettes' films concerned the issues of love and family in an all american setting. His characters struggle for their wants, and overall, perfection. If you compare our country to another, it's an obvious case; while third world countries struggle to survive... we struggle for perfection. I believe that the majority of "social issues" that are addressed in american films today have more to do with appearances and sexuality. In order for films like these to be successful in conveying a humanitarian message, they must tell us that these are superficial issues. I feel that the the messages of Cassevetes', and any neo realist films are much more timeless. It was a truly visceral experience to see a film like Vidas Secas come along and portray a boundless humanitarian message, even just through its imagery.