Federico Fellini: 09/14/03 - 09/20/03

Morticia · 09-15-2003, 06:25 AM

Just as a change of pace, and at your request, we are discussing bodies of works by a particular actor or director. Let's see how you like this!

So -- let's compare and contrast early works by the same director, discuss film techniques and choice of cinematographer or composer, what have you.

Why is this director good/not so good? Which are the better of his works/worst of the lot? Which is your most favorite film? Why is he/she popular or not so popular?

Run wild, shall we? Discuss!

darthbenbo · 09-15-2003, 07:33 PM

Excellent new trend!

I'll wait for some other opinions before I chime in with my own. Just wanted to voice my approval.

Morticia · 09-22-2003, 05:25 PM

Well, I'll be the first to admit that I've never seen a Fellini film. I've probably seen snippets of some, like in a montage of films, but I don't own any nor do I know what his 'style' is like.

If anyone can recommend a "beginner's guide to Fellini", I'd be appreciative!!

aedavela · 09-22-2003, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morticia

Well, I'll be the first to admit that I've never seen a Fellini film. I've probably seen snippets of some, like in a montage of films, but I don't own any nor do I know what his 'style' is like.

If anyone can recommend a "beginner's guide to Fellini", I'd be appreciative!!

Same here. I rented 8 1/2 a few months ago in trying to see all of the movies Ebert mentions in "The Great Movies." Kinda like Citizen Kane for me. I know it's a cinematic masterpiece, but I just didn't enjoy it or get it for that matter.

PorkChopXpress · 09-22-2003, 09:56 PM

Where's asphodel when you need him? I've only seen 8-1/2 once and I liked it. Hardly enough to comment on Fellini as a filmmaker, though many consider it his magnum opus. Plus, on my only viewing I don't think I got everything that was being presented, so I'll definitely have to give it another look before I can comment further.

asphodel5 · 09-29-2003, 03:02 AM

I can't believe that I didn't see this thread!! I love Fellini and I will be glad to comment on any of the films that I have seen.

B/W
Variety Lights- The plot is sort of like All About Eve. It revolves around a troupe of actors. Rivalries abound. It stars the Fellini's adorable wife.

The White Sheik- An entertaining marriage comedy. A young couple come from the country to be married at the Vatican. The lady meets her favorite actor and is accidentally seperated from her husband. It even features a cameo with Masina playing her Cabiria character.

I Vietteloni- I haven't seen it.

La Strada- A Fellini classic. I am looking forward to seeing it again on DVD. Masina gives one of her best performances. This one could be a good start for those who are new to Fellini. It is typical of his early style. It isn't too far from the neo-realist tone, but his character styling and carnival-esque atmosphere are stronger than in the earlier films.

Il Bidone- This is the second in his loneliness trilogy. It also stars Masina. It isn't as strong as La Strada, but it isn't bad.

Nights of Cabiria- Masina expands on her Cabiria/prostitute character. Again, this could be a good starting point. The Criterion disc is close to bare bones, but it has an excellent transfer.

La Dolce Vita- This can be seen as the start of a new phase in Fellini's career. It is his first film with his frequent alter ego (Marcello Mastoriani). It is a sprawling 3 hour tale of a papparazzi photographer. If you see it, make sure that it is a widescreen version. The Italian DVD is excellent. The tone is much different than the earlier films. Some people find the earlier ones more enjoyable because they are more personal and closer to the neo-realist films of the late 40s and the 50s. This an L'Avventura basically put the nails in the coffin of that style of Italian film. Visually, this is where Fellini starts to get a little bit wilder. It is packed with famous scenes: the Trevi fountain, the hellicopter with the statue of Jesus, the parties etc.

8 1/2- Many consider this Fellini's finest moment. He expands on the style of La Dolce Vita, but it is not as over indulgent as most of his color films. Visually it is one of his best. It is his final b/w work and it is gorgeous. Marcello returns as a director with writer's block. The narrative is too complicated to explain in a short paragraph, but the movie is basically about the making of the same movie. Fantasy sequences are used frequently. Just like La Dolce Vita, this may be a good starting point if you are fond of the Gilliam style of visuals and excess. Be warned, they can be difficult to get into if you don't know what you are getting into. I think that they require multiple viewings to begin to love.

Color
Juliet of the Spirits- Masina returns in Fellini's first color film. This is my personal favorite for many reasons. I don't think that it is as strong as Vita or 8 1/2, but it really appeals to me. Fantasy scenes are used frequently. In many ways this is the female version of 8 1/2. It focuses on Giullietta's inner state. I can go on about it later.

Satyricon- This may be Fellini's most over indulgant film. It is a retelling of the days of Rome. It is visually stunning, but the narrative is close to non-existant. This is the first Fellini film that is nearly all episodic. I don't like ti that much. Frankly, it is overwhelming and difficult to sit through. There are some great scenes. One scene with a moving camera withing a large complex was the supposed inspiration for The Smashing Pumpkins' Ava Adore video. A bad place to start, but some people love it.

Roma- This is one of Fellini's weaker efforts. It is somewhat autobiographical. It takes places in present day (70s) Rome. Some scenes are great (clergy fashion show etc), but the narrative is weak and some scens are not interesting.

Amaracord- This one is pretty critically acclaimed. It is episodic, but with the focus on a small town in Mussolini era Italy. It is much better than the last two that I mentioned, but I don't like it as much as the 50s/60s films.

I haven't seen I Clowns, Casanova, or Orchestra Rehersal so I can't comment.

City of Women- I like this one a lot. Marcello returns It is episodic, but everything flows nicely. It is bascially a trip back into his memory/subconcious. I guess it is misogynistic, but that doesn't keep it from being fun to watch. You really need to be familiar with La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2 to get into it. That way, you will be fond of Marcello.

And the Ship Sails on- This one isn't that great. It is gorgeous to look at, but I don't like the characters that much. Fellini works best when there is one central character to return to. As far as I remember, this doesn't have one. It is one of Criterion's worst DVDs too. I don't think that it even displays the time on the DVDplayer display.

Ginger and Fred- This unites Masina and Marcello. It seemed pretty good, but the tape that I saw was very poor. I can't make many comments until I see it in decent shape.

I haven't seen Intervista or Voice of the Moon.

I hope that some of those comments are helpful. They are all probably too vague and rambly, but I can make other comments on specific titles.

I almost forgot to mention how great the Nino Rota Fellini scores are. Many know him from The Godfather films, but I think that his best work is with Federico. He did a lot of the scores from The White Sheik on.

asphodel5 · 09-29-2003, 03:08 AM

I almost forgot to add a quick guide to Fellini's style. Terry Gilliam is obviously influenced by him. Fear and Loathing is probably his closest thing to a Fellini homage. When you think of Fellini, think of a carnival. Many of his films are loaded with excesses. Unique characters wander out of the films. Nino Rota's scores set the atmosphere. Dreams and illusions play a prominant part. Beginning with La Dolce Vita the wild (but still controlled) camera work begins to play a prominant role.

All in all, the Fellini-esque style is instantly recognizable. Once you have seen a film or two, you will be able to recognize his style in an instant.

PorkChopXpress · 09-29-2003, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the rundown. I figured you'd be able to shed a little light on the subject. Based on your recommendations, I'm going to rent La Strada(VHS) and Nights of Cabria sometime this week. After I get through them, I'll be sure to post my impressions. I've always wanted to get into more Fellini, but I've never been sure where to jump in. Thanks again for the nice, brief guide.

3DMan · 09-29-2003, 01:17 PM

Yea, I've only got 8 1/2 and saw about half of Satyricon. Gilliam does an intro on the 8 1/2 DVD and there is a doc on Nino Rota's music as well. I definately need to see La Dolce Vita(where the hell is the Region 1) since I even have the poster. Is La Strada out on Region 1?

On a side note, I had not watched a subtitled movie in awhile, and 8 1/2 has a LOT of dialogue so it required a good attention span.

asphodel5 · 09-29-2003, 02:06 PM

La Dolce Vita was supposed to come out in R1 this month. A new distributor (Koch Lorber) was supposed to handle it. It has been delayed for some unknown reason. I don't think that I'll replace my R2 version.

Criterion will finally be releasing La Strada in November. The specs are:
New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound

Video introduction by Martin Scorsese

Audio commentary by Peter Bondanella, author of The Cinema of Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini’s Autobiography, a 2000 documentary originally broadcast on Italian television

Optional English-dubbed soundtrack featuring the voices of Anthony Quinn and Richard Basehart

09-15-2003, 06:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Morticia Administrator Emeritus Film Class Goddess Part-Time PRN Princess Panty Thief Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Devil's Point. Burn baby burn!	Federico Fellini: 09/14/03 - 09/20/03 Just as a change of pace, and at your request, we are discussing bodies of works by a particular actor or director. Let's see how you like this! So -- let's compare and contrast early works by the same director, discuss film techniques and choice of cinematographer or composer, what have you. Why is this director good/not so good? Which are the better of his works/worst of the lot? Which is your most favorite film? Why is he/she popular or not so popular? Run wild, shall we? Discuss! __________________ Nope, you really haven't lived until you've fed a naked Fire Dancer a S'more...cooked from her own flaming baton. I reject your reality and substitute my own! "Freeze dried moles. Price as marked." -- Nixon, Suicide Girl Last edited by Morticia : 09-22-2003 at 05:34 PM.

09-15-2003, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
darthbenbo Actor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Texas	Excellent new trend! I'll wait for some other opinions before I chime in with my own. Just wanted to voice my approval. __________________ "I am told that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it."

09-22-2003, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Morticia Administrator Emeritus Film Class Goddess Part-Time PRN Princess Panty Thief Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Devil's Point. Burn baby burn!	Well, I'll be the first to admit that I've never seen a Fellini film. I've probably seen snippets of some, like in a montage of films, but I don't own any nor do I know what his 'style' is like. If anyone can recommend a "beginner's guide to Fellini", I'd be appreciative!! __________________ Nope, you really haven't lived until you've fed a naked Fire Dancer a S'more...cooked from her own flaming baton. I reject your reality and substitute my own! "Freeze dried moles. Price as marked." -- Nixon, Suicide Girl

09-22-2003, 09:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
PorkChopXpress Actor Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norman, OK	Where's asphodel when you need him? I've only seen 8-1/2 once and I liked it. Hardly enough to comment on Fellini as a filmmaker, though many consider it his magnum opus. Plus, on my only viewing I don't think I got everything that was being presented, so I'll definitely have to give it another look before I can comment further. Last edited by porkChopXpress : 09-29-2003 at 05:28 AM.

09-29-2003, 03:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
asphodel5 Actor Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: ohio	I can't believe that I didn't see this thread!! I love Fellini and I will be glad to comment on any of the films that I have seen. B/W Variety Lights- The plot is sort of like All About Eve. It revolves around a troupe of actors. Rivalries abound. It stars the Fellini's adorable wife. The White Sheik- An entertaining marriage comedy. A young couple come from the country to be married at the Vatican. The lady meets her favorite actor and is accidentally seperated from her husband. It even features a cameo with Masina playing her Cabiria character. I Vietteloni- I haven't seen it. La Strada- A Fellini classic. I am looking forward to seeing it again on DVD. Masina gives one of her best performances. This one could be a good start for those who are new to Fellini. It is typical of his early style. It isn't too far from the neo-realist tone, but his character styling and carnival-esque atmosphere are stronger than in the earlier films. Il Bidone- This is the second in his loneliness trilogy. It also stars Masina. It isn't as strong as La Strada, but it isn't bad. Nights of Cabiria- Masina expands on her Cabiria/prostitute character. Again, this could be a good starting point. The Criterion disc is close to bare bones, but it has an excellent transfer. La Dolce Vita- This can be seen as the start of a new phase in Fellini's career. It is his first film with his frequent alter ego (Marcello Mastoriani). It is a sprawling 3 hour tale of a papparazzi photographer. If you see it, make sure that it is a widescreen version. The Italian DVD is excellent. The tone is much different than the earlier films. Some people find the earlier ones more enjoyable because they are more personal and closer to the neo-realist films of the late 40s and the 50s. This an L'Avventura basically put the nails in the coffin of that style of Italian film. Visually, this is where Fellini starts to get a little bit wilder. It is packed with famous scenes: the Trevi fountain, the hellicopter with the statue of Jesus, the parties etc. 8 1/2- Many consider this Fellini's finest moment. He expands on the style of La Dolce Vita, but it is not as over indulgent as most of his color films. Visually it is one of his best. It is his final b/w work and it is gorgeous. Marcello returns as a director with writer's block. The narrative is too complicated to explain in a short paragraph, but the movie is basically about the making of the same movie. Fantasy sequences are used frequently. Just like La Dolce Vita, this may be a good starting point if you are fond of the Gilliam style of visuals and excess. Be warned, they can be difficult to get into if you don't know what you are getting into. I think that they require multiple viewings to begin to love. Color Juliet of the Spirits- Masina returns in Fellini's first color film. This is my personal favorite for many reasons. I don't think that it is as strong as Vita or 8 1/2, but it really appeals to me. Fantasy scenes are used frequently. In many ways this is the female version of 8 1/2. It focuses on Giullietta's inner state. I can go on about it later. Satyricon- This may be Fellini's most over indulgant film. It is a retelling of the days of Rome. It is visually stunning, but the narrative is close to non-existant. This is the first Fellini film that is nearly all episodic. I don't like ti that much. Frankly, it is overwhelming and difficult to sit through. There are some great scenes. One scene with a moving camera withing a large complex was the supposed inspiration for The Smashing Pumpkins' Ava Adore video. A bad place to start, but some people love it. Roma- This is one of Fellini's weaker efforts. It is somewhat autobiographical. It takes places in present day (70s) Rome. Some scenes are great (clergy fashion show etc), but the narrative is weak and some scens are not interesting. Amaracord- This one is pretty critically acclaimed. It is episodic, but with the focus on a small town in Mussolini era Italy. It is much better than the last two that I mentioned, but I don't like it as much as the 50s/60s films. I haven't seen I Clowns, Casanova, or Orchestra Rehersal so I can't comment. City of Women- I like this one a lot. Marcello returns It is episodic, but everything flows nicely. It is bascially a trip back into his memory/subconcious. I guess it is misogynistic, but that doesn't keep it from being fun to watch. You really need to be familiar with La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2 to get into it. That way, you will be fond of Marcello. And the Ship Sails on- This one isn't that great. It is gorgeous to look at, but I don't like the characters that much. Fellini works best when there is one central character to return to. As far as I remember, this doesn't have one. It is one of Criterion's worst DVDs too. I don't think that it even displays the time on the DVDplayer display. Ginger and Fred- This unites Masina and Marcello. It seemed pretty good, but the tape that I saw was very poor. I can't make many comments until I see it in decent shape. I haven't seen Intervista or Voice of the Moon. I hope that some of those comments are helpful. They are all probably too vague and rambly, but I can make other comments on specific titles. I almost forgot to mention how great the Nino Rota Fellini scores are. Many know him from The Godfather films, but I think that his best work is with Federico. He did a lot of the scores from The White Sheik on. __________________ A sail! A veil awave upon the waves. Boomed crashing chords. When love absorbs. War! War! The tympanum. Redone and Revised! My Visually Oriented Screening Log

09-29-2003, 03:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
asphodel5 Actor Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: ohio	I almost forgot to add a quick guide to Fellini's style. Terry Gilliam is obviously influenced by him. Fear and Loathing is probably his closest thing to a Fellini homage. When you think of Fellini, think of a carnival. Many of his films are loaded with excesses. Unique characters wander out of the films. Nino Rota's scores set the atmosphere. Dreams and illusions play a prominant part. Beginning with La Dolce Vita the wild (but still controlled) camera work begins to play a prominant role. All in all, the Fellini-esque style is instantly recognizable. Once you have seen a film or two, you will be able to recognize his style in an instant. __________________ A sail! A veil awave upon the waves. Boomed crashing chords. When love absorbs. War! War! The tympanum. Redone and Revised! My Visually Oriented Screening Log

09-29-2003, 06:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
PorkChopXpress Actor Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norman, OK	Thanks for the rundown. I figured you'd be able to shed a little light on the subject. Based on your recommendations, I'm going to rent La Strada(VHS) and Nights of Cabria sometime this week. After I get through them, I'll be sure to post my impressions. I've always wanted to get into more Fellini, but I've never been sure where to jump in. Thanks again for the nice, brief guide.

09-29-2003, 02:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
asphodel5 Actor Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: ohio	La Dolce Vita was supposed to come out in R1 this month. A new distributor (Koch Lorber) was supposed to handle it. It has been delayed for some unknown reason. I don't think that I'll replace my R2 version. Criterion will finally be releasing La Strada in November. The specs are: New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound Video introduction by Martin Scorsese Audio commentary by Peter Bondanella, author of The Cinema of Federico Fellini Federico Fellini’s Autobiography, a 2000 documentary originally broadcast on Italian television Optional English-dubbed soundtrack featuring the voices of Anthony Quinn and Richard Basehart __________________ A sail! A veil awave upon the waves. Boomed crashing chords. When love absorbs. War! War! The tympanum. Redone and Revised! My Visually Oriented Screening Log

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