Direction of Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini is one of the most influential directors of all time. An Italian filmmaker, his films blend a dreaming fantasy and unusual images into a reality. They contain very surreal images with often sexual, political, and nostalgic themes, which often relate to his own memories from childhood.

In one of his most important films, 8 1/2, a semi autobiographical film depicts a directors struggle with creativity. The film often contains links to his own childhood, for example several sequences where it is actual events that occurred in his youth.

Marcello Mastroianni was Fellini's actor for many of his films, which included 8 1/2 and La dolce vita. In 8 1/2 Mastroianni played the role of director who had writers block. The introductory scene of the film is one of the most powerful, as it completely summarizes the change from creativity in a closed asphyxiated environment to a ultimately free and flying space. At first the scene can be very confusing, but Fellini's almost psychotic imagery can be synthesized as genius. The film continues as Mastroianni struggles to find meaning in the film he is building up to be a masterpiece (something he doesn't think can nearly be classified). Everybody is believing in him as it will be, and he just cannot live up to the expectations. Fellini's message here is simple, and 8 1/2 becomes one of the best films about film that has ever been made. 

 

Patron Initiated Reservations and The Criterion Collection

Thursday afternoon, I attended an ICTV producer’s meeting in which we discussed Park’s new Patron Initiated Reservations system. Being able to make equipment and location reservations online is an incredible convenience! I want to familiarize myself a little more with the PIR system, so I’ll begin to set up Game Over’s recurring reservations for the semester. 

After talking about silent movies in class, I wanted to find a handful of films to watch as a nice break from “talkies.” I decided to start by going online to The Criterion Collection, which is a wonderful resource that not only distributes classic films, but has information on films in the form of film essays, articles and photo galleries. I’m currently reading about the Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu and his silent film A Story of Floating Weeds, which he actually remade in color. Out of curiosity, I’d like to view both versions of the film.

Another interesting feature of The Criterion Collection is their assortment of various celebrities’ Top 10 lists. I looked at the musician Adam Yauch’s Top 10 list, who’s selections include films by Akira Kurosawa and Wes Anderson as well as Federico Fellini, who I believe was mentioned in class. After A Story of Floating Weeds, I think I’m going to watch Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria. Unfortunately, The Criterion Collection website lists it as being out of print, but I’ll see if I can’t find it somewhere!