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WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:07 PM Jul 2012

Watching one of the Movie's Fellini made between the late forties and deep into the 60's...

especially the one's filmed in Italy, you can still see the devastation that the War had wrought on the people.

It's as if Fellini used that stark back drop, rubble and all, almost as if it was a character in the film. It serves as a great contrast between, especially those filmed in B&W, life and death. Everywhere there is evidence of tragedy and yet, life goes on.

The one movie, La Strada, features Anthony Quinn as a rough-neck traveling strong man who performs for tips and food. This is a disturbing movie on many levels but it also shows that life goes on, no matter what happens all around you. Of course there is a lot more to it than that, It's a Fellini movie. Suffice it to say it is hard to watch but you will come out the other end slightly wizened

I don't know really where I am going with this but I must say I am glad I waited to watch these films until I was able to gather enough life to understand fully what these films were all about.

One of my favorite persons in the whole world use to say "you don't have to be Fellini to figure that out" when people made a super obvious comment to describe something. It made laugh when I was in my 20's but now, halfway into my 50's, I just smile to myself as I enjoy all that life has to offer.

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Watching one of the Movie's Fellini made between the late forties and deep into the 60's... (Original Post) WCGreen Jul 2012 OP
I liked La Strada aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #1
I liked it a lot... WCGreen Jul 2012 #2
That is a powerful and wrenching film. hifiguy Jul 2012 #25
One has "to gather enough life to understand fully what these films were all about." Octafish Jul 2012 #3
Ikiru - one of the greatest films ever made in my opinion aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #5
Cool...Kagemusha did the same to me. RagAss Jul 2012 #24
Watched it again a few weeks back whatchamacallit Jul 2012 #4
I watched a Fellini film once. Archae Jul 2012 #6
I really like La Strada. Have watched it 3 times. Would watch it again several times over. patrice Jul 2012 #7
Wonderful actress... WCGreen Jul 2012 #8
Giullieta Masina - Fellini's wife aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #11
I've never seen it... CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2012 #9
I think what I found so powerful about La Strada Gregorian Jul 2012 #10
Fellini was a genius, but never forget... TreasonousBastard Jul 2012 #12
yes, two bicycles thieves was the Italian title...what a movie. all shot in rome on the streets with CTyankee Jul 2012 #19
My impression of Europe was dictated by a Hard Days Night and Georgie Girl... WCGreen Jul 2012 #21
yes it`s a very good movie.... madrchsod Jul 2012 #13
Fellinesque - Everything About What Is Going On Today Fits That Term TheMastersNemesis Jul 2012 #14
Exactly, because there was so much war debre left... WCGreen Jul 2012 #16
Check out his dream diary to get an idea what was going through Fellini's tortured mind Brother Buzz Jul 2012 #15
One of my favorite films by Fellini: BrendaBrick Jul 2012 #17
That was the very first Fellini movie I watched from beginning to end... WCGreen Jul 2012 #20
It's always stayed with me too. BrendaBrick Jul 2012 #22
I'll look for that one... WCGreen Jul 2012 #26
Also look at Tarkovsky's Russia. ananda Jul 2012 #18
Every traffic jam I get into....I think of the famous opening to "8 1/2." RagAss Jul 2012 #23
I LOVE Fellini...knr joeybee12 Jul 2012 #27

aint_no_life_nowhere

(21,925 posts)
1. I liked La Strada
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:14 PM
Jul 2012

In the 1980s I worked for its producer Dino DeLaurentiis. Dino loved Anthony Quinn's performance and thought he looked and acted very Italian although he clearly was not.

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
3. One has "to gather enough life to understand fully what these films were all about."
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:18 PM
Jul 2012

Fellini -- and life itself -- is like that. Just as we start to grok what's happening, we're entering the middle of our sixth decade!

I am the same way, WCGreen. I'm just starting to appreciate Akira Kurosawa, particularly "Dersu Uzala," now that I've hit 55 and it's 100 outside in Detroit this summer.

aint_no_life_nowhere

(21,925 posts)
5. Ikiru - one of the greatest films ever made in my opinion
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:22 PM
Jul 2012

I saw it as a young man in Paris in 1968 while I was studying there and it affected me for the rest of my life. Very simple but powerful film.

whatchamacallit

(15,558 posts)
4. Watched it again a few weeks back
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:21 PM
Jul 2012

Like most Fellini flicks, lots to love and lots to scratch your head about...

patrice

(47,992 posts)
7. I really like La Strada. Have watched it 3 times. Would watch it again several times over.
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:36 PM
Jul 2012

It's what I think of as existential. A little tough to take for that reason, but I like the hard edge of this movie and the amazing sweet-sad-funny-noble character writing for Gelsomina, the female lead. Such a gloriously tatterdemalion ensemble!, without a touch of "hollywood".

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,181 posts)
9. I've never seen it...
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:44 PM
Jul 2012

It does sound as though it would be something I would enjoy.

Thanks for the tip...

Gregorian

(23,867 posts)
10. I think what I found so powerful about La Strada
Sat Jul 21, 2012, 11:12 PM
Jul 2012

Zampano finally realizes that he was the cause of three needless deaths. Finally, through the absolute innocence of Gelsomina, he was able to see the truth.

I just wish we could truly care for each other.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
12. Fellini was a genius, but never forget...
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:14 AM
Jul 2012

DeSica, who gave us "Two Women" and "The Bicycle Thief" (aka Bicycle Thieves).

The horrific effects of the war itself, and the doubtful aftermath-- by people who made movies, not politics.

CTyankee

(63,708 posts)
19. yes, two bicycles thieves was the Italian title...what a movie. all shot in rome on the streets with
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:14 PM
Jul 2012

the people...and all the destruction...

I remember going to Europe with my mother in 1956, 11 years after the war, and Europe was sad and drab. They still hadn't come back. But I remember St. Paul's Cathedral in London, The Louvre in Paris, and the Night Watch in Amsterdam! What treasures.

I do recall that Versailles in France was very sad and down at the heels. Not now, I hear. It has been restored to glory. It wasn't that way in 1956...

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
21. My impression of Europe was dictated by a Hard Days Night and Georgie Girl...
Thu Jul 26, 2012, 02:40 PM
Jul 2012

the black and white and then when the Radio Free Europe Comercials in Black and White, I thought where did all the color go...



Well, my TV was black and white that's how I remember it...
 

TheMastersNemesis

(10,602 posts)
14. Fellinesque - Everything About What Is Going On Today Fits That Term
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:41 AM
Jul 2012

When I was getting my BFA in Theater I took a film art criticism class. That class is where I was introduced to Frederico. By far two of my favorite movies of his were "Juliet Of The Spirits" and "Amarcord". The first movie I saw of his was "La Dolce Vita". He was one of the most profound directors of the 20th century.

Being raised Catholic, I could identify with him because of the way he mocked the Catholic Church and its teachings. He often criticized the Church for its many excesses. "Juliet Of The Spirits" is one of his most scathing. He slams the sterility of the Church in its ability to warp people's minds regarding sexuality. And he shows how the priests and nuns damage people and make them neurotic about themselves as human beings.

I was glad that he got an Academy Award before he died. And I often wonder how he would deal with today's version of Christianity and politics. I have not seen all his films, particularly the earlier ones.

As far as "La Strada" goes, it is a pretty difficult film to watch. The brutality of it from my point of view is metaphoric in relation to the brutality of the world. The last time I saw it was well over 30 years ago. As a masterpiece it still resonates today.

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
16. Exactly, because there was so much war debre left...
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 01:50 AM
Jul 2012

Giulletta Masina had that blank face that reflected all that was around her back at the viewers...

Brother Buzz

(36,127 posts)
15. Check out his dream diary to get an idea what was going through Fellini's tortured mind
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:46 AM
Jul 2012

I swear, R Crumb and Fellini crossed paths many times in their dreams

BrendaBrick

(1,296 posts)
17. One of my favorite films by Fellini:
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:04 PM
Jul 2012

Nights of Cabiria.

Favorite scene: The finale:



...and I guess if this final sentiment were to be put to music...then my choice would have to be this:




WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
20. That was the very first Fellini movie I watched from beginning to end...
Thu Jul 26, 2012, 02:24 PM
Jul 2012

It had a profound affect on me.

BrendaBrick

(1,296 posts)
22. It's always stayed with me too.
Thu Jul 26, 2012, 05:06 PM
Jul 2012

Speaking of Italian films, have you ever watched the comedy: "Johnny Stecchino" with Roberto Benigni?



(still makes me laugh)

ananda

(28,758 posts)
18. Also look at Tarkovsky's Russia.
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:06 PM
Jul 2012

The toxic devastation is always there,
along with a helluvalotta water.

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