neorealism
C2Academic, Artistic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
An artistic or philosophical movement, especially in film and literature, seeking to portray reality in a raw, unembellished way, often focusing on the lives of ordinary people.
In international relations, a theory that views states as the primary actors in global politics, driven by self-interest in an anarchic system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In art, denotes a reaction against romanticism and idealism. In international relations, denotes a specific school of thought distinct from classical realism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally academic in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with Italian cinema in general cultural contexts in the UK. In the US, it may have slightly stronger associations with political theory.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both. Slightly higher frequency in academic humanities in the US due to prominence of IR theory.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Neorealism + [in/of + FIELD] (e.g., neorealism in cinema)[Adjective] + neorealism (e.g., Italian neorealism)The rise/emergence of neorealismVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is technical and does not form idioms.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in film studies, literary criticism, art history, and international relations theory.
Everyday
Very rare, only among educated individuals discussing specific film movements or political theory.
Technical
Core term in specific academic disciplines with precise definitions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The director sought to neorealise the struggles of the working class. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The film neorealises the urban experience. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The scene was shot neorealistically, on location in the ruins. (very rare)
American English
- He argues neorealistically about state behaviour. (very rare)
adjective
British English
- The film's neorealist aesthetic used non-professional actors.
American English
- Her analysis took a neorealist perspective on the conflict.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Italian neorealism was a famous film movement.
- Some political scientists study neorealism.
- Post-war Italian neorealism often featured stories about poverty and social injustice.
- Neorealism in international relations focuses on state power and security.
- The neorealist director's use of authentic locations and natural lighting created a profound sense of verisimilitude.
- While classical realism emphasises human nature, structural neorealism posits that the anarchic international system itself compels states to act in certain ways.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'NEW REALISM'. It's a fresh (neo) take on showing things as they truly are (realism), whether in gritty black-and-white films or in the harsh realities of power politics.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS A MIRROR (for cinematic/literary sense); WORLD POLITICS IS A BATTLEFIELD (for IR sense).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "соцреализм" (socialist realism), which has a specific ideological connotation. "Неореализм" is a direct calque and is acceptable in academic contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'neo-realism' (hyphen is sometimes used but less standard). Confusing cinematic neorealism with the broader term 'realism'. Using it to mean simply 'new realism' in a non-technical, casual way.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'neorealism' NOT a major technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Neorealism is a specific 20th-century movement that reacted against earlier forms. In film, it's a post-WWII style. In IR, it's a structural theory that builds on but differs from classical realism.
Key features include location shooting, use of non-professional actors, natural lighting, and a focus on the everyday struggles of ordinary people, often from a socially critical perspective.
In film: Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti. In International Relations: Kenneth Waltz (for structural neorealism).
It is highly unlikely. It is a specialised academic or artistic term. In everyday talk, one would simply say 'realistic' or describe something as 'gritty realism'.