La Strada (1954)

i suddenly wanna write about 1954 La Strada, an italian classic when one of my friend ask me whether i knew any european films with a patriachy in its story. well, little did i know patriarchy is about male dominations over women which been rooted in a society throughout time all over the world. Directed by Frederico Fellini, La Strada tells the story about a heartbreaking girl named Gelsomina (Giulletta Massina) whose been forced to come with her sister's husband, Zampano to help with his work. While he give 10.000 lire to Gelsomina's mother in exchange. Zampano's is a solo street performer, later he join with the circus. In other words, Gelsomina's mother had sold her daughter to a circus man. 

poor Gelsomina

Nah, i'm not gonna rip the whole story here. But i think, La Strada is the best examples of european films. Being black and white is just a bonus. La Strada means The Road, in English. The theme song was beautiful too, especially the Trumpet solo part. Of course, Nino Rota wrote that symphony. Every single things were in the right composition to present a one melancholy motion picture at a time.

 Gelsomina's playing the La Strada theme song

So, where's the patriarchy?

The whole films were about Zampano's domination over Gelsomina. Whether its about his job which he could loose a hooked chain with his only chest, which, caused him a big ego of a strong man. The leading lady character too was weak and had a lost, confused look on her face all the time. She runaway once, but when Zampano found her, he beat her. Gelsomina's twice had a clean opportunity to runaway from Zampano, but she decided to stay. Not because she's afraid, but she's remembered what her dear friend Il "Matto" from circus said Zampano wants to keep her, because she must be good at something. 

The loveliest scene

Gelsomina eventually stays with Zampano, hoping for a romance along the way. She never realize that the only one she got was Il "Matto" until he died when he's got in a fight with Zampano. In the end, Zampano left her in a side of the road in a cold winter because she's feeling too depressed after Il Matto's dead. She didn't want to eat again, she's just keep saying "Il Matto, he's dead" over and over again when Zampano tries to talk to her. 

The Ending

The ending scene was powerful. The movie ends with sad and drunk older Zampano, walk from the restaurant all the way to the beach in the night. He already knew that Gelsomina was dead five years ago. He walks toward the sea, wash his face and then drop himself in the sand. His look was kinda precious, the moment before he cries. It makes you wondering what's in his mind. I'd love to think that he hear the sound Gelsomina's playing the theme song with her trumpet. Even though its actually the waves.

older, regretful Zampano