Final answer:
The affirmation that Italian neo-realist films were centered on social and historical events with political inclinations is indeed true. They presented a realistic portrayal of post-war Italian society and often focused on themes of economic and social justice within the context of everyday struggles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Italian neo-realist films centered on social and historical events and had political leanings is True. These films emerged after World War II and represented a new cinematic approach, where the focus was on everyday life experiences, particularly those of the working class and the poor. The neo-realist filmmakers took their cameras into the streets and shot in real locations, often using non-professional actors. This was a shift from the earlier propagandistic and escapist themes that dominated the pre-war film industry.
The Italian neo-realist movement reflected the social turmoil of post-war Italy and was concerned with the struggle for economic and social justice. It stood in contrast to the optimistic machine age futurism that had characterized some pre-war Italian art movements, or the abstract concepts in German Expressionist films. The neo-realist films were also a form of resistance against, and commentary on, the Fascist regime that had led Italy into the war, providing a narrative that confronted the harsh realities and aftermath of the conflict.
In a broader sense, these films contributed to social realism, an artistic movement that commands artists to present an unvarnished view of life's struggles, often highlighting issues of social and racial injustice and economic hardship. Social realism was a driving force behind the neo-realist films and aimed to portray the world realistically and shed light on these pressing social issues, contributing to the ideological and cultural fabric of the time.