Director: Federico Fellini
Year: 1963
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
My introduction to the great Italian director Federico Fellini started months ago with his wonderful film La Strada. I found myself captivated by the characters and the emotions that appeared on the screen. Soon after I sought out more Fellini films to watch, this brought me to 8 1/2. The working title was called The Beautiful Confusion and indeed it is exactly that. This film is one, like 2001: A Space Odyssey, that needs to be viewed many times. As of now I have only watched it twice, so forgive me if I'm not on par with the many themes within this film.
8 1/2 is an autobiographical film about the trials and tribulations of making a film. The plot is essentially about a man named Guido Guido is a film director, trying to relax after his last big hit. He can't get a moment's peace, however, with the people who have worked with him in the past constantly looking for more work. He wrestles with his conscience, but is unable to come up with a new idea. While thinking, he starts to recall major happenings in his life, and all the women he has loved and left.
Regarded as the best film ever made about filmmaking, it is one that weaves in and out of reality. Perhaps nothing takes place in reality, it is nearly impossible to distinguish the fantasy elements of this film from the reality elements. Is this bad? Not in the slightest as it turns the film into a commentary about the nature of love, art, crisis,forgiveness, integrity and inspiration.One could write a whole essay regarding female and male relationships based on this film. A lot of this film seems to be about Fellini trying to reconcile his former misogynistic views towards women.
While the many themes Fellini presents in 8 1/2 are difficult to write about in less than ten pages, they do not make the film difficult to understand. Infact one can relate many scenes to their own lives. Like Fellini, I remember as a child being told by a priest to feel shamed about thinking of the female body in a sexual way even though the thinking was not of "satan" but of nature. I too have been greatly bothered by hitting a creative wall. From a technical standpoint the cinematography and lighting greatly add to the claustrophobic and slightly melancholy feel of this film. The score also gives a zany yet edgy feel to the film, it shows how irritable and uncomfortable Guido can be in any given situation.
In conclusion, this film is filled with brilliant scenes, I love the scene where he is confronted by all the women in his life and they start a "female rebellion". I think it is an affirming film that says "yes, you can change for the better" as Guido slowly starts to treat women like people instead of objects. Everything about this film is inspiring, it is unlike anything I have ever seen. This is a film that you will not only need to see more than once, but it is one that you'll want to see more than once. Praise it! 5/5
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