'' Open City '' or '' Rome , Open City '' ( ) is a 1945 Italian neorealist drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini . The picture features Aldo Fabrizi , Anna Magnani and Marcello Pagliero , and is set in Rome during the Nazi occupation in 1944 . The title refers to Rome being declared an open city after 14 August 1943 . The film won several awards at various film festivals , including the most prestigious Cannes ' Grand Prize , and was also nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar at the 19th Academy Awards
19th Academy Awards
19th Academy Awards
Rome, Open City