The journey continues!

Following the success of our French film series, we are excited to launch the next chapter of our Passport to the Movies: International Film Series as we travel to Italy for three unforgettable cinematic masterpieces.

Our Passport to the Movies series celebrates world cinema by bringing internationally acclaimed films to the big screen at the Cranford Theater. Each screening is followed by an engaging discussion exploring the film's artistry, historical significance, cultural impact, and lasting influence on cinema. Our first stop is Rome, Open City (1945), one of the most influential films ever made and a landmark of Italian Neorealism.

Set during the final days of the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II, Rome, Open City follows a courageous group of resistance fighters, ordinary citizens, and a determined priest as they risk everything in the fight for freedom. Filmed on location in the streets of war-torn Rome shortly after the liberation of Italy, the film's emotional power and striking realism forever changed the language of filmmaking.

Directed by Roberto Rossellini and featuring unforgettable performances from Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi, Rome, Open City remains a powerful testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Join us for this extraordinary cinematic experience and stay afterward for a lively discussion exploring the film's historical context, artistic achievements, and lasting legacy in world cinema.

--------------------- About the Curator -- Gerard Amsellem

Artist, educator, and filmmaker Gerard Amsellem is a dual American and French citizen with a deep passion for classic, foreign, and independent cinema from around the world. Born and raised in Paris, he spent his first 25 years in France, where he studied painting at the University of Paris and earned a master's degree in French Literature and Art History. He later continued his education at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

Gerard has directed several short films and is currently developing two independent film projects. His short film Bartleby (2013) received a Director's Citation from the Black Maria Film Festival and was an official selection at both the Garden State Film Festival and the Twin Rivers Film Festival. Through his production company, New Waves Productions, his most recent film, Creation Until The End: Bernard Requichot, has completed production and is now entering European film festivals. Gerard is dedicated to promoting film as an art form and expanding public access to exceptional cinema from around the world.

CAST: Aldo Fabrizi, Marcello Pagliero, Harry Feist, Anna Magnani, Maria Michi, Francesco Grandjacquet

DIRECTOR: Roberto Rossellini

RUN TIME: 104 min

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