Fairfield library showing free movie, open extra hours today

The Fairfield Public Library will be open until 9 p.m. today, and show a free film this evening for RAGBRAI's visit.

This remarkable 1948 film drama of desperation and survival in Italy's devastating post-war depression earned a special Oscar for its affecting power. Shot in the streets and alleys of Rome, the film director uses the real-life environment of contemporary life to frame his moving tale of a desperate father whose new job delivering cinema posters is threatened when a street thief steals his bicycle. Too poor to buy another, he and his son take to the streets in an impossible search for his bike. Cast with nonactors and filled with the real street life of Rome, this landmark film helped define the Italian neorealist approach with its mix of real life details, poetic imagery, and warm sentimentality. The director uses the wandering pair to witness the lives of everyday folks -- he ultimately paints a quiet, poignant portrait of father and son, played by nonprofessionals Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola, whose understated performances carry the heart of the film.

This film is adapted for the screen from a novel. Watch for the film's final shot of father and son walking away from the camera into the distance ... an homage to the director's favorite filmmaker.

The film is in Italian, with English subtitles.

The film is not rated, and runtime is 1 hour, 29 minutes

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:30 p.m.

Donations for organic popcorn help renew the library's movie license.

RAGBRAI participants can use the library's free public computers and free WiFi. They also can charge their cell phones while watching the movie.

The library's movie license does not allow it to advertise the name of the free films it shows, but information can be found by visting the calendar on the library's website at http://www2.youseemore.com/fairfield.

The library will have special hours today for RAGBRAI. It will stay open three hours later than usual and close at 9 p.m.