2025 Tarkovsky Prize 2nd Place: Marie-Fleur Delort-Brazee

An Analysis of Social Movement in Nights of Cabiria

by Marie-Fleur Delort-Brazee

The movie “Nights of Cabiria” by director Federico Fellini was published in 1957. Although the movie is lighthearted and funny, it discusses two important messages: social class and feminism at a time when Italy had just gone out of war and was suffering an economic depression.

I was startled by the obvious difference in social class presented in the movie, especially prominent in interactions between wealthy men and prostitutes. The wealthy are entertained by prostitutes and the prostitutes submit themselves to the wealthy. Although Cabiria is a prostitute, she doesn’t seem to care about this social separation. When she dances in a rather unsophisticated manner at an exclusive party, people around her seem amused by her. They do not consider her to be at their class level. The separation of people by their social class is a pattern often revisited in history. High social status is usually represented with arrogance and wealth, while lower classes are pictured as less sophisticated and desperate. In my opinion, when Cabiria is dancing freely and entirely differently from everyone else, it is such a brave behavior and marks her indifference to social class, but everyone around her seems to put so much importance to it. Although she does not live with the same privileges as the wealthy people at the party, she nevertheless continues to be herself and owns up to herself in an environment that is not welcoming her as an equal. Cabiria’s response to people around her is inspiring, because it is an encouragement towards keeping one’s values and character no matter what other people say or think. Fellini emphasizes the superficiality of social class in the scene where a very large crowd is praying in a church. There is a fast-changing perspective, in the cinematographic sense, with instances of people’s faces being captured vividly. The shots of the people praying build up to an overhead shot so that we, the audience, can see how all these people together look the same way and all either are desperate for something that they cannot have, mourn for their personal reasons, or live in their past regrets. All these people are in the church for the same reasons: to beg for forgiveness and ask God to change their lives. In this upper vision social class seems only like a human illusion as people cannot be distinguished based on their class. It felt uncomfortable watching the scene, seeing people so lost and who have nothing left in their lives, while praying, crying, and screaming in the church tent. Sometimes life seems so much more important than it actually is, and Fellini really helps us realize that we humans, although so lively and unique, are mostly just the same. Additionally, many people, especially in Italy at that time and other religious countries, turn to a greater force or God to see change, regardless of social class. I believe that Fellini sent a powerful message showing the ludicrousness of social class to him.

Federico Fellini's choice to work with his wife, Giulietta Masina, for this portrait of a strong and independent woman like Cabiria was a notable statement to me. It shows that feminism was taking shape in Italy after the war. Since Cabiria is a prostitute, it is difficult to believe that she could be a representation of feminism. But her behavior speaks for her actions. Repeatedly, Cabiria is diminished by people around her, especially men, who only see beauty and attitude in her. However, every time, she keeps reminding others, and perhaps even herself, that she bought her own house and has enough money to live a comfortable life, all of which she worked hard for. Cabiria is not impressed by men around her. Although she is seeking love and looking for the perfect man, whenever she meets someone, she never feels submissive to them. An example of this is when she meets Oscar D’Onofrio and he insists on driving her home at night. Even though it is late, she does not want to depend on a man, especially one she just met. That is an appearance of feminism, which feels empowering to me, because historically women were always portrayed as naive and dependent for needing men to survive financially and for protection. Cabiria clearly contradicts this idea. Therefore, when she decides to take the bus alone, even though it is a long ride, she clearly radiates her independence, proving Oscar that she will not just be impressed by his charming personality. The message of feminism takes a heavy turn at the end and makes it very upsetting. Cabiria finally opens up to Oscar and shows him her vulnerable side. When they are having dinner together, she insists on the difficulty of her job that made her money, which came from prostituting herself. She addresses an important social problem, insinuating that women underwent hardship to reach financial independence without the need of men, as known in modern society. Today, it is hard to imagine that women once were so suppressed by society. So, as a woman, it is an empowering scene in the film. As the audience builds up a feeling of happiness for Cabiria, the ending leaves a sting in the chest. After Oscar steals all of Cabiria’s money, and runs away, leaving her behind screaming “Kill me! Kill me!” I felt taken aback by the exhaustion of a strong and inspiring character like Cabiria. At such a moment, I thought that she would give up, but I was wrong. We see Cabiria slowly rising once again–devastated– but her facial expression shows a determination to keep on living. She is an unstoppable character. I believe that Federico Fellini must have chosen his wife to portray this role, as he saw her as a strong and independent woman, but also to inspire future generations to stay strong and empower women no matter the suppression by society.

I have not often felt so taken aback by a movie like Nights of Cabiria. The messages that are conveyed: social class and feminism, are loud and feel early for their time. Today, these themes are more eloquently addressed and people are trying to make a change. However, in 1957, in Italy, people fought these problems differently, making this moviealmost like a future reflection of modern society for people back then.