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CYCLE CINEMA #01
“The Bicycle Thief”
The era when bicycles were a ray of hope for survival.

Bicycle theft. Everyone would want to avoid this worst-case scenario. We carefully select parts and body materials, striving to reduce weight to the gram, yet chain locks for theft prevention weigh 500 grams, which seems counterproductive. Bicycle thieves are unforgivable. They should disappear from this world.

There is an old film called “Bicycle Thief” (1948). It was directed by Vittorio De Sica (known for ” Sunflower” filmed in the sunflower fields of Ukraine). This film depicts the poignant lives of Italian laborers after the war.

The stage is post-World War II Rome. The aftermath of the war has brought a severe economic downturn, and our protagonist, Antonio, has been jobless for two years. His family is on the brink of starvation, and he desperately needs to find work. Through a referral from the employment agency, he finds a job as a poster hanger, but there’s one condition – he needs a bicycle. Antonio had pawned his bicycle, but with the help of his family, he manages to retrieve it. Filled with hope, he loads his work tools onto the bicycle and sets off to work with high spirits. It’s a chance for a better life.

However, hope is short-lived as, on his first day, his bicycle gets stolen (What a disaster!). Losing the bicycle means losing the job. Together with his son, he searches the town, but the bicycle remains elusive.

Mamma Mia! Antonio is at a loss.

In his despair, he stumbles upon a bicycle without a lock.

“With a bicycle, I can work again,” Antonio realizes.

Unable to resist the devil’s temptation, Antonio commits a sin. Who can blame him for his wrongdoing? Yet, the owner of the bicycle knows nothing of Antonio’s circumstances. Poor Antonio is brutally beaten in front of his son.

Strangely, when watching the movie, one finds oneself feeling sympathy and cheering for the man who committed the crime. Despite being such an unforgivable bicycle thief. How do those who love bicycles feel when they watch this film? I highly recommend finding out for yourself.

🎬CYCLE CINEMA STORAGE🎬
#01 “The Bicycle Thief”
#02 “Project A”
#03 “Shoot for tomorrow!”(origin title “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”)
#04 “The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)”
#05 “Izakaya Choji”
#06 “Cinema Paradiso”
#07 “Kids Return”
#08 “PERFECT DAYS”
#09 “Kramer vs. Kramer”
#10 “E.T.”
#11 “Gachi-Boshi”
#12 “Yesterday”
#13 “Wadjda”
#14 “The Zone of Interest”
#15 “Anselm”
#16 “Otoko wa Turai yo”


Text＿Hideki Inoue

I am from Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. I work as a writer and editor. My hobbies include hot baths, skiing, and fishing. Although I have no personal connection, I am independently conducting research on Shiga Prefecture. I prefer an active fishing style called “RUN & GUN,” which involves moving around actively instead of staying in one place. I am planning to purchase a car to transport my bicycle to adopt this style, which might seem a bit counterproductive.

Post Date：2023.07.21

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#Aomori

#Aomori Museum of Art

#Besshi-Suiha Flower View Cycling Course

#E.T.

#Hirosaki

#Imabari-Dogo Sea Breeze Cycling Course

#Imabari-Saijo Hot Springs Cycling Course

#Ishizuchi Mountains Cycling Course

#Iyonada-Sadamisaki Seto Seaside Cycling Course

#Kokuhou

#Nebuta

#Neputa

#Okuiyo-Hijikawa River Cycling Course

#Ringo

#Shimanami

#Spielberg

#Uchiko-Nakaiyo Rural Cycling Cours

#Ume

#Yoshitomo Nara

#Zuiganji

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CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #15
“Anselm”
An Artist Who Explores Giant “Factories” by Bicycle

When you hear the words “painter” or “artist’s studio,” a certain image might come to mind: a chaotic desk cluttered with paintbrushes and tubes of paint, a large window flooding the room with sunlight, perhaps even a beautiful garden beyond. The film Anselm (2023), which depicts the German contemporary art giant Anselm Kiefer, takes the form of a documentary. However, it is directed by Wim Wenders—the renowned filmmaker behind Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, and Perfect Days. In his hands, the film transcends a mere record of events, becoming a poetic visual experience where fact and fiction intertwine seamlessly. Kiefer is one of Germany’s most prominent […]

#Anselm #Cinema
CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #02
“Project A”
Immerse in an exhilarating bike chase.

In the early 1990s, China had a completely different landscape compared to today. During the morning and evening rush hours, one could witness the famous “bicycle rush hour” that was synonymous with China at the time. Many people used bicycles for commuting, creating a breathtaking sight of thousands of people riding the same roads. Moreover, since most bicycles were of the same model and color, there was a sense of harmony. Brands like “Fenghuang” and “Yongjiu” from Shanghai were quite popular. These bicycles were tough and sturdy, serving as the essential means of transportation to support people’s daily lives.

#Column #Cinema
CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #09
“Kramer vs. Kramer”
The moment I first rode a bicycle, who I was with.

There was a film movement called American New Cinema. It consisted of films released in the late 1960s to the 1970s such as “Easy Rider,” “The Graduate,” “Midnight Cowboy,” ” Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “Apocalypse Now.” Perhaps one of the reasons for the frequent use of young directors was the incorporation of messages or somewhat critical perspectives on society and politics, taking a different approach from traditional entertainment films. American New Cinema was enthusiastically supported by younger generations and had a significant influence on subsequent films. “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) is also a prod […]

#Manhattan