This Vittorio De Sica 1952 classic movie stars Carlo Battisti, as Umberto Domenico Ferrari. Battisti is not a professional actor, but his performance will tug at your heart as much as any veteran of the screen ever could. With superb directing, an entirely empathic music score and the heart-tugging dog “Flick”, this IFF selection will touch the soul.

Umberto is a retired civil servant about to be forced onto the streets due to the loss of his pension, in post-war Rome. His un-sympathy landlady cares little for his plight as she prepares his apartment for her new boyfriend. The on-screen struggle is really that of Umberto trying to maintain his dignity and self-esteem under such dire circumstances. The relationship with his dog is central to the story. Faithful pets never understand that the world can be cruel, when their master is so kind.

Even is you do not have a pet, you are sure to be impacted by the pathos that is depicted on screen with Umberto D.

Running time: 89 minutes.