It is interesting how film always seems to run in cycles. Neorealism in Italy was influenced by poetic realism in France, and the French new wave was in turn influenced by neorealism. Although I think the new wave borrowed more the "make a film at all costs" mentality more so than necessarily the ascthetics of neorealism. Reading articles from cahiers they seemed more concerned about creating a "national identity" through cinema, like the US and Italy had, and I certainly think they succeeded. Embarassingly I haven't yet seen Toni, in fact I think its the only Renoir film from the 30's I haven't seen.