8½ is an Italian avant-garde surrealist comedy-drama [film)](@leoglossary/leoglossary-movie-film directed and co-written by Federico Fellini. The film was released in 1963 and is considered a highly influential classic and one of the greatest films about film ever made.
The film's title, 8½, refers to the fact that it was Fellini's eighth and a half film (he had directed six features, two shorts, and co-directed another feature). 8½ won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Costume Design (black-and-white).
The film is acknowledged as an avant-garde film and a highly influential classic. It was ranked 10th on the British Film Institute's The Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time 2012 critics' poll and 4th by directors. It is listed on the Vatican's compilation of the 45 best films made before 1995, the 100th anniversary of cinema.
8½ was filmed in the spherical cinematographic process, using 35-millimeter film, and exhibited with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. As with most Italian films of this period, the sound was entirely dubbed afterward. Following a technique dear to Fellini, many lines of the dialogue were written only during post-production, while the actors on the set mouthed random lines.
The film has received critical acclaim and is considered one of Fellini's masterpieces. It has been praised for its memorable performances, psychological depths of the themes, striking visuals, and inventive camera work. Film critic Roger Ebert added the film to his "Great Movies" list, describing 8½ as "the best film ever made about filmmaking".
Overall, 8½ is a highly regarded film that has had a significant impact on cinema.
Plot
8½ is a film that tells the story of Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director who is struggling with creative block and trying to come up with an idea for his next movie. The film is told from Guido's point of view, and he is clearly intended to represent Fellini himself.
The film begins with a nightmare of asphyxiation, and a memorable image in which Guido floats off into the sky, only to be yanked back to earth by a rope pulled by his associates, who are hectoring him to organize his plans for his next movie. Throughout the film, Guido retreats into his memories and fantasies, trying to find inspiration for his next project.
The film is part fantasy, part reality, and merges reality and imagination to the point that it becomes difficult to tell one from the other. The film is highly structured, with a meticulous screenplay that is constructed around Guido's confusion and lack of direction. The film is also known for its striking visuals, inventive camera work, and memorable performances.
Overall, 8½ is a film that explores the creative process and the struggles that artists face when trying to come up with new ideas. It is a highly regarded film that has had a significant impact on cinema and is considered one of Fellini's masterpieces.
Cast
- Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director who is struggling with creative block and trying to come up with an idea for his next movie.
- Anouk Aimée as Luisa Anselmi, Guido's wife who is also an actress.
- Claudia Cardinale as Claudia, a film star whom Guido casts as his Ideal Woman.
- Sandra Milo as Carla, Guido's mistress.
- Rossella Falk as Rossella, one of Guido's former lovers.
- Barbara Steele as Gloria Morin, another one of Guido's former lovers.
In addition to the main cast, there were also several supporting actors and actresses who played smaller roles in the film. The film was directed by Federico Fellini, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, and Brunello Rondi.
Director: Federico Fellini
Producer: Angelo Rizzoli
Box Office Gross: $196,375
Distributor: Embassy Pictures, Kino Pictures
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1963
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2015
Trailer:
