Martin Scorsese, one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th and 21st centuries, has often credited Italian neorealism as a significant influence on his work. This movement, which emerged in Italy in the aftermath of World War II, is characterized by its focus on everyday life, social issues, and the human condition, often employing non-professional actors and on-location shooting to achieve a sense of realism. For Scorsese, whose own heritage and upbringing in an Italian-American community deeply inform his storytelling, neorealism has provided a rich tapestry of techniques and themes that have permeated his filmography.