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Federico Fellini is another director whose films will appear in my dream movie series more than once. His semi-autobiographical film 8 1/2 (1963) is considered by many to be his crowning achievement. It is a truly great film in all respects.
Filmed in a crisp rich black and white, this film depicts the struggles of a writer/film director trying to reconcile the personal conflicts in his life with a roadblock in his perception of his career. His creativity is stifled as he embarks on his newest film project.
With Marcello Mastroianni playing the fictionalized director role, the film alternates between dreams, fantasies, and everyday encounters. These episodes begin to overlap into the final sequence which could be real, but probably is dream or fantasy based on reality.
Whatever the case may be with the sequences portrayed, from the standpoint of the dream aficionado this film is a magnificent journey into the imagination. It's a literary film that I consider a must for writers. There is not much action and the story moves along loosely, and yet there can be great fulfillment for the viewer who drinks this film in like an exquisite wine. The ending gives me a chill, makes me a bit teary, and fills me with a tremendous sense of joy all at the same time.
The film is in Italian with subtitles. If you can get past that part then you are on your way to a rich human adventure that resonates with all that is in that magical place where waking life intersects with the dream life.
Hi there - I'm part of the A - Z Challenge also. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one who used a number that represents E. My post was a review of Stephen King's novel, 11/22/63. Good luck with the rest of the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Fellini but never saw any of his movies. I don't have the attention span for subtitles.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I want to read that King book.
ReplyDeleteJoJo -- I find a lot of people don't want to deal with subtitles or black and white film. This film is definitely one for the tolerant viewer.
Lee
Wow, I watched the trailer from the link you put up and it does look strange yet intriguing. It also says there is a comedic aspect to it. I'm more familiar with Mastroianni's daughter than with him as actors go...
ReplyDeleteLisa -- It's one of my favorite films about writing and creativity. I'm not familiar with Mastroianni's daughter. Didn't know he had one.
ReplyDeleteLee