**Roberto Rossellini (1906-1977)** was an influential Italian director, universally recognized as one of the fathers of Neorealism. His "war trilogy" – *Rome, Open City* (1945), *Paisa* (1946), and *Germany, Year Zero* (1948) – defined the genre, capturing the raw reality of post-war Italy and Europe.

His style was characterized by a nearly documentary-like approach: on-location shooting, frequent use of non-professional actors, and a quest for narrative truth and authenticity, exploring human resilience and moral issues in difficult times.

Subsequently, his collaboration with Ingrid Bergman marked a more introspective and psychological phase, with films like *Stromboli, Land of God* (1950) and *Journey to Italy* (1954), which explored existential crises and personal relationships with renewed sensitivity. His impact on modern cinema was profound.