Three Films From Fellini (3 DVD)

La Dolce Vita Marcello Mastroianni plays a gossip columnist (the term paparazzi derives from a character in the film) who aspires to be a more serious writer but knows he never will be, because like society, he is fascinated by the decadent hedonistic pursuits, which are seemingly everywhere. The Vatican was appalled by the film, but the public adored it, relishing the images Fellini fed them, most notably the now infamous scene of Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg frolicking in the Trevi Fountain. This is a spectacular morality play which has lost none of its relevance in today s celebrity obsessed world. La Dolce Vita won the Cannes Palme d Or in 1960 and an Oscar ® 1962.

Giulietta degli Spiriti Juliet of the Spirits Giulietta Masina (Fellini s real wife) gives a superb performance as the bored, timid, frumpy and ultimately unfulfilled housewife who suspects her husband is being unfaithful. In an effort to escape the hurtful reality of her situation she enters a surreal fantasy world of sensual pleasure. The dazzling images of Fellini creates become more and more hypnotic in their effect. Much of the fantasy involves Juliet s fabulously outgoing and sexually liberated neighbour Suzy (Sandra Milo), but are they part of the plot or is Fellini exploring his own desires? Powerfully assisted by brilliant cinematography and inventive set design, Juliet of the Spirits is a timeless Fellini classic not to be missed.

I Vitelloni Fellini picked up the Venice Film Award for this sharply observed account of the post war social mores of fifties Italy. The film is essentially a rites of passage story involving a group of friends growing up together in a small provincial town. This seemingly aimless fraternity is led by Fausto (Franco Fabrizi) in their daily routine of hanging around in bars and wasting their days whilst dreaming of breaking free of their parochial chains to taste the adventure the world has to offer. Events force the womanizing Fausto to choose between responsibility and freedom, which in turn prompt the other gang members; Moraldo, Alberto, Leopoldo and Ricardo to look at their own futures in a new light.