La Strada (1954)

When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto, the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

Genres: Drama

What to watch after La Strada

• Nights of Cabiria (1957) — Federico Fellini directed both
• Rome, Open City (1945) — Federico Fellini wrote for both
• La Dolce Vita (1960) — Same subject: dying and death, unsociability
• Rocco and His Brothers (1960) — Same feel: painful, emotional
• La Notte (1961)
• I Vitelloni (1953) — Federico Fellini directed both