Why it matters
Also debuting in Venice, Visconti’s follow-up to Ossessione pushed Neorealism to its limits. Its radical use of real villagers instead of trained actors shocked audiences but also lent the film its aching authenticity. It wasn’t just a story, but, rather, a portrait of poverty, resilience, and exploitation. Though it struggled commercially, La Terra Trema remains a towering achievement – a testament to cinema’s power as social critique. Visconti framed Sicily not as a backdrop but as a protagonist, and in doing so, he gave voice to people often left invisible. Its influence can be traced in everything from later Italian auteurs to global art cinema.
