Roberto Rossellini: 'Germania anno zero' / 'Germany Year Zero'

Roberto Rossellini's Germania anno zero / Germany Year Zero / Deutschland im Jahre Null (1948), the third film of his "War Trilogy," centers on an ailing father, a daughter and two sons trying to stay afloat in Berlin soon after the end of the Second World War. Life among the ruins.

The before and after: some of the survivors still believe in Hitler times, but quietly accommodate the occupiers, selling artifacts and black market services to "golly gee" Americans. Most are dazed and living day by day with assigned housing, ration cards, and not enough legal work to go around. The aftermath of war in a defeated country.

The Criterion Edition (verso) of Deutschland im Jahre Null includes plenty of extras. More is remembered through defeat than through victory.

Today's Rune: Breakthrough.