The film "Il Postino" illuminates post-World War II Italy, a period marked by prevailing political instability. In a society where education is scarce and families' destinies are predetermined, uncertainty and frustration characterize the environment. However, the character Mario Ruoppolo, embodying change and hope from the film's outset, introduces optimism to this landscape. Following his father's footsteps as a Fishman, Mario becomes disillusioned with his role and eventually secures employment as a postman, with Neruda as his primary customer.
Mario consistently visits Neruda, a renowned exiled poet, delivering numerous letters and spending time with him, revealing minimal interactions with other customers. This underscores the limited literacy in Italy during that time. Another indication of this is Donna Rosa asking the priest to read the poem Mario wrote for her niece. Amid Italy's seemingly hopeless atmosphere, thirsty for change and progress, Mario injects a spark of hope with his profound interest in poetry.
Throughout the movie, he cultivates a friendship with the esteemed poet Neruda, who influences not only Mario's poetry but also his political views. Neruda, portrayed as the "poet of the people," describes himself as such, stating that his poetry aims to give a voice to those underground —a concept deeply rooted in communism's core principle of advocating for a society where the working class collectively rules, eliminating class distinctions.
Choosing the path of a postman and unveiling a poet's soul, Mario, initially a mere fisherman, turns into a poet who dies while protesting at a communist riot against the Christian Democratic political party, a symbol of stagnation. The film's dynamics illustrate the aftermath of World War II in Italy and the impact of the ongoing Cold War. However, despite the frustrating environment, the movie's conclusion implies the possibility of change, paralleling Neruda's departure from Italy as he is no longer condemned in Chile due to his political beliefs and the exploited potential of Mario.
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