About

Master Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini crafted a body of work that is visually spectacular, exuberant, and elegant. Inspired by the authenticity of Italian neorealism, Fellini infused his early films with poeticism and humour. His later works delve into memory and dreams, reflecting his larger-than-life persona realised through grand and fantastical visions grounded in social critique and an exploration of humanity. Fellini is cited as one of the most influential directors in cinema history and is a highly awarded filmmaker with honours from Cannes and Venice International Film Festivals as well as four Academy Awards.

This comprehensive retrospective include all Fellini's feature films and contributions to omnibus films. The screenings are from recent digital restorations of all but one of Fellini’s films. The restorations come directly from the archive arm of the director’s beloved filmmaking studio – Cinecittà. Starting with Fellini’s first feature film Variety Lights 1950, co-directed with Alberto Lattuada, the program follows his career into his raw Italian neorealism period with films such as Nights of Cabiria 1955 and the extraordinary La Strada 1954 starring acclaimed actress Giulietta Masina. Two gems of Fellini’s career, the self-aware comedy drama 8 1/2 1963 and the seductive yet damning La Dolce Vita 1960 star many of the director’s key collaborators from Marcello Mastroianni, the man who often plays Fellini’s alter-ego, to Anita Ekberg and Anouk Aimée. Screenings from Fellini’s later work will include Juliet of the Spirits 1965, Fellini Satyricon 1969, Intervista 1987 and his final film starring Roberto Bengini The Voice of the Moon 1990.

QAGOMA acknowledges the generous assistance of Italian archive Luce Cinecittà and Cineteca di Bologna in providing materials for this program. Program curated by Rosie Hays, Australian Cinémathèque.