neorealist

Neorealist is a term used to describe a practitioner or advocate of neorealism, a movement or theory that emphasizes realism anchored in social realities or systemic structures rather than idealized or romantic portrayals.

In film, Italian neorealism emerged in the 1940s and 1950s as a response to fascism and war. It is noted for on-location shooting, use of non-professional actors, and stories focused on the daily lives and struggles of the poor and working class. Canonical films include Rome, Open City and Bicycle Thieves. Directors associated with the movement include Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Luchino Visconti. The style influenced subsequent cinema and debates about the social role of film.

In international relations, neorealism, or structural realism, is a theory that explains state behavior by the anarchic nature of the international system and the distribution of power. It argues that the external environment primarily drives outcomes such as alliance formation, balancing, and the pursuit of security, rather than the moral characteristics of states or leaders. Prominent figures include Kenneth Waltz, who emphasized systemic structure, and John Mearsheimer, who developed offensive realism. It contrasts with classical realism by prioritizing system structure over human nature.

As a label, neorealist can refer to a filmmaker aligned with Italian neorealism or a scholar who advocates structural realism in IR. The term thus spans disciplines, linking a shared emphasis on observable reality to distinct methodological traditions.