Federico Fellini

Overview

In Italian cinema, Federico Fellini is considered one of the most original and innovative artistic figures of all time. 

By removing the idea of a static cinema dependent on realism and a linear storyline, Fellini set himself apart from other directors of the period. It could be said that his work resembles the oral tradition of nursery tales and fables - as he famously said, “My films are not for understanding. They are for seeing.” As a result, the striking originality of his work inspired a new word, 'Felliniesque', a common synonym for the grotesque, the satirical, and the surreal. 

Yet Fellini was also one of the first directors to detail the effects of technology, celebrity, and mobility on Italian life, and to tap into one of the most important themes of contemporary cinema: the essential rootlessness of modern life.

Join Dr Jeni Ryde as she takes you on a multifaceted exploration of an outstanding director, including a look at Fellini the man as well as Fellini the filmmaker. The themes in Fellini's magnificent work are also considered, with a look at some stunning examples from his extraordinary cinematic output.