Deep Dive: 8½
Added 2024-01-12 21:56:14 +0000 UTCToday we talk about Federico Fellini's masterpiece 8½.
Enjoy!
Comments
I originally voted La Haine, simply because I had seen it. Watched 8½ all the same.... and I really glad I did! I actually wasn't too sure, in the moment, as I was watching it - I have not seen too much Italian cinema from this time, but the sound recording/dubbing is something you really need to get used to, I've been the same with Tarkovsky... but it's worth it to put that extra effort in..... The film really stayed with me, and my mind was abuzz with the imagery I'd seen - even now there are many frames that have stuck with me quite vividly - not just because they're pretty (hey, Saltburn / Poor Things lol) but because of the weight of meaning and questioning behind them - and thoughts of Guido and his journey in the film. Sooo much humanity and fear and desire and deep flaws bleed and ooze through the whole film. It's all so palpable. I loved it. I downloaded the Scorsese essay on Fellini to read a while ago, but have it on hold to ensure I am more well versed in his work! One down....! Such a passionate deep dive which was a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for the ongoing little inspirations to keep pushing and enquiring :-)
hyperballadbrad
2024-01-16 10:14:25 +0000 UTCThis was so much fun! My first deep dive, because I mistakenly believed I hadn't seen any of the other movies (I'm going to listen to the ones for STALKER and YI YI as well). The sketches of characters then realised on film was a gorgeous detail. You brought out elements in this picture I didn't observe, and made it more enjoyable for me, who didn't like it. I will keep this discussion in mind the next time I watch it. Thank you, Lewis and Luiza as always. :)
Sophia Lambton
2024-01-14 02:13:01 +0000 UTCA quote that really stuck out to me from the film is during Guido’s monologue as he simply says "I have nothing to say. But I want to say it anyway." That to me is one of the greatest summations of the problem with many artists throughout history especially now. I think why this happens and I include myself from past works I tried to make is this sense of not allowing one’s self to fully embrace all the possibilities of the art that can be created and thus become half baked. Even worse without much honesty and a lot of repressed thoughts that are not shown mostly because of fear or ignorance I believe. So I love when I see a sincere and true creative view when someone like Fellini does it. That passionate, emotional nature is definitely what I love the most in cinema especially when it is more in line with the visual presentation in how it communicates these ideas. I legit was so moved by the ending because of that. It also does make me very curious now after I did my rewatch of 8½ was to watch his later film near the end of his career, "Intervista". It sounds like Fellini going even further with the ideas he had with his 60s classic. Also I love that you mention "The Dance of Reality" as a modern example of 8½’s legacy. Jodorowsky for me is a more personal inspiration for my aspirations as an artist as much as I do love Fellini also. "Endless Poetry" I think is a great sequel and better film that more deeply explores the boundaries that "Dance of Reality" tapped into when it comes to the autobiographical aspects. I really hope Jodorowsky is soon able to make the final film in this trilogy, "Essential Voyage" as I do think there is much potential in exploring even more the very nature of being an artist that was hinted at with the finale of the last film.
Esteban Rodriguez
2024-01-13 01:43:32 +0000 UTC
