8½

8½ (Italian: otto e mezzo) is a 1963 film by Italian director Federico Fellini. It is critically accepted as one of the finest films ever made.

Related Topics:
Italian - 1963 - Italian - Director - Federico Fellini

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The plot revolves around a director, Guido Anselmi, played by Marcello Mastroianni, who amidst marital difficulties attempts to find inspiration for a new science fiction film. Often compared to Marcel Proust's novel, In Search of Lost Time, the film often delves into Guido's memories and fantasies. It displays several elements of autobiography. La Bella Confusione (The Beautiful Confusion) was the working title of 8½.

Related Topics:
Marcello Mastroianni - Science fiction - Marcel Proust - In Search of Lost Time

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8½ is much admired for its sensitivity to the problems of the creative process, both technical and personal, and problems artists face when expected to deliver something personal and profound, with a large public watching, on a very set schedule – while all the while having to live their own lives, and deal with their own personal relationships. It is in a larger sense about finding true personal happiness in a difficult, fragmented life.

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The film won the top award of the Moscow Film Festival and the 1963 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Fellini was nominated for Best Director. 8½ is a fixture on the prestigious Sight & Sound critics and directors poll of the top ten films ever made.

Related Topics:
Moscow Film Festival - 1963 - Academy Award - Best Foreign Language Film - Best Director - Sight & Sound

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The film is 138 minutes in length and filmed in stark black and white. The soundtrack is by Nino Rota. The film was shot by influential and innovative cinematographer Gianni di Vanenza.

Related Topics:
Black and white - Nino Rota - Cinematographer

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The musical Nine and the Canadian television series More Tears were both based on 8½. Peter Greenaway's 8½ Women is a nod to Fellini's film as well.

Related Topics:
Musical - Nine - Canadian - More Tears - Peter Greenaway - 8½ Women

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