FELLINOPOLIS
Italy, 2020, 78 minutes, Black-and-white/colour.
Directed by Silvia Giuletti.
Interviews with: Ferruccio Castronuovo, Dante Ferretti, Norma Giacchero, Maurizio Millenotti, Nicola Piovani, Lena Wertmuller.
Archival footage and interview material, film excerpts: Federico Fellini, Giuletta Masina, Marcello Mastroianni, Anthony Quinn.
A must for devotees of Federico Fellini as well as of 20th century Italian cinema. On the occasion of Fellini’s centenary of birth, several documentaries were made and built on the 2018 In Search of Fellini.
The basis of this film is footage from director Ferruccio Castronuovo who approached Fellini, was accepted by him, work by his side for 10 years, filming him at work, interacting with cast and crew members. This is quite a genial Fellini. Castronuovo is interviewed for this film so there is a great deal of his memory and retrospect.
This is a portrait of Fellini at work, his vision, work ethic, his talent with design and music, interaction with actors, camera work… There is an allusion to his interest in psychology and its consequences, something which is explored in the other documentaries.
A great deal of time and attention is given to some of the interviewees, valuable comments about Fellini himself, and his methods of working, especially in relationship to 3 films, City of Women, And the Ship Goes On, Ginger and Fred, Mastroianni appearing two of them, and Fellini’s wife, Giuletta Masina, appearing in Ginger and Fred – but with memories of La Strada (and archival footage of a conversation with Anthony Quinn about this film).
Particularly interesting other comments on technical information about sets and production by Dante Ferretti and others involved. And also particularly interesting other comments by composer Nicola Piovani who worked with Fellini on his later films, Piovanni explaining the relationship between Fellini’s vision and the consequences for composition.
Also, with personal interest, is his assistant Norma Giacchero as well as veteran and pioneer female director, Lena Wertmuller.
Which means a high recommendation for those interested in Fellini and Italian cinema.
