Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini on popular culture.
August 19, 2008
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas
Topics:
1.) Call for Abstracts
2.) Tutto Felliniana video
3.) NEW books on Fellini
4.) Angelina the Giantess is dead
5.) 8 1/2 "to the NINEs"
6.) Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams
7.) Federico & Hugo: 2 of a kind?
8.) Film poster art of a different color
9.) Felliniana Archive news
1) Calling all Fellini scholars:
Professor Ted Price, of Montclair State University, has issued a Call for Abstracts for participation in a Roundtable discussion to celebrate Fellini at the 40th anniversary NeMLA convention, next February. Dr. Price is the co-author, with his late wife, Barbara Ann Price, of the indispensable, Federico Fellini bibliography, published in 1976.
2) In 2006, when Tutto Fellini, the complete retrospective of Fellini films, played at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, an exhibition of posters from the Felliniana Archive was mounted for the first time. A 10 minute video tour of that exhibition (footage by Cesar Hernandez and edit by Jose Sauceda) is now available for viewing. The video is a work in progress, but you can get an idea of the extent of the exhibition and collection by clicking here:
3) Two recently published books on Fellini are highly recommended:
-----Federico Fellini: The Book of Dreams, the long awaited, never-before-published, legendary dream notebooks that Fellini kept for many years has been published by Rizzoli International. This 512 page, lavishly illustrated monster of a book is about as close as one can get to being inside the head of the Maestro.
At the urging of his Jungian analyst, Fellini recorded his dreams in his distinctive cartoon style. The comments/dialogue Fellini scribbled on each image have been translated into English for non-Italian speakers/readers. This romp through Fellini's night world offers a glimpse into the genesis of some of his film ideas and a peek into his vivid imagination.
Also included are insightful essays by Fellini biographer, Tulio Kezich, author, Vincenzo Mollica and Federico Fellini Foundation director, Vittorrio Boarini.
Here's a link to the publishers website for more info:
-----Fellini's 1963 masterpiece, 8 1/2, has long been a subject of interest to University of California at Berkeley professor, D.A. Miller. In his recently published book from BFI Film Classics, 8 1/2, D.A. takes a fresh look at the film 45 years after it first shocked the world.
Here's a link to the publisher's website for more info:
Sandy Allen, one of the shining stars in the Fellinian universe has died. At 7' - 7" tall, Ms. Allen was also known as the World's Tallest Woman. She played the role of, Angelina the Giantess, in the Academy Award winning film, Fellini's Casanova (Il Casanova di Federico Fellini). You know you're watching a Fellini film when a giantess arm wrestles a sly Casanova who later peeks into her tent as she bathes with two dwarves. And that was just one scene. What a film and what a lady.
5) Nine, the Broadway musical inspired by Fellini's 8 1/2, is being made into a Hollywood film musical directed by Rob Marshall, (Chicago, 2002). The incredible cast includes Daniel Day Lewis as Guido, Penelope Cruz as Carla, Nicole Kidman as Caludia, Kate Hudson as a Vogue journalist, Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur (surely this is the mysterious woman originally played by Catterina Borrato), Marion Cottillard (Edith Piaf, 2007) as Luisa and Sophia Loren as Guido's Mamma. To top things off, pop singer, Fergie (Grindhouse, 2007) will play the role of lusty, Saraghina. Oh My God!
6) -----Speaking of Fellini's 8 1/2, that film has been specifically chosen by actress, Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, 2007), to close the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams film festival in her hometown of, Nairn, Scotland. The festival runs through August 23rd. Sounds positively smashing. Let's all go!.
7) Author, filmmaker, political commentator, Fellini collaborator and Renaissance man, Aldo Vidali, asks the question: "What do Hugo Chavez and Fellini have in common?" For the answer, read Aldo's recently published essay, Fellini's 2008 Visit to Hugo Chavez, here:
8) How would you design the poster art for your favorite film? A London art gallery challenged over forty artists with that provocative question. Read more and see some of the results, here:
Oriana Fallaci, a political writer and interviewer with a staunchly rightist slant died on September 15, 2006.
She conducted a memorable interview with Fellini in 1963 published in her book, Limelighters.
December 19, 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Marcello Mastroianni, prolific actor
and beloved star of six Fellini films. Celebrations honoring old Snaporaz were held in Rome and elsewhere.
If anyone personified the term, auteur, it was Robert Altman. Like Fellini, his movies have the
undeniable stamp of a particular kind on them. His recent death brought up a few comparisons with
Fellini, like their shared problems with producers and criticism for excessiveness.
The London Telegraph did a nice remembrance of Altman. Read it, here:
There is no doubt that Dustin Hoffman is one of the most capable actors of his generation - that the films
he stars in are consistently good. But, mention the roles he turned down and you’ll bring him to tears.
Among those was the lead in Fellini’s City of Women, that Marcello Mastroianni ended up with.
Read an interview with Hoffman in the London Times, here:
Pan’s Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro’s latest film is being called a masterpiece, an adult fairy tale.
He is being compared to Fellini for his use of fantasy and magic realism.
Speaking of magic realism, I’ve heard that Tom Tykwer’s new film, Perfume, has echoes of Fellini,
in a weird sort of way. His film, Run Lola Run, remains one of my all time favorites. Perfume is getting
mixed reviews from critics, but any film referred to as, “straight out of a Fellini wet dream”, can’t be missed.
I recently discovered YouTube.com and I’m still spinning from the shock. It’s almost too much to describe.
Basically, YouTube is a video sharing web site which allows viewers to upload, view and share video clips.
Both amateur and professional film makers are represented. Time Magazine named it, Invention of the Year, for 2006.
You have to see it to fully get it. It is definitely addicting.
I was astounded to discover over 300 Fellini-related videos at YouTube. Some are trifling, but many are essential.
For example, you can view the Fellini TV commercials and deleted scenes from Fellini’s Casanova which are not
easily available elsewhere. There are also rare clips of Fellini directing Amarcord, Roma, Voice of the Moon
and others. You can see dozens of cleverly made Fellini tributes and homage's, musical performances of
Fellini film music, trailers, interviews, etc. etc.
Check out this cute little 3.5 minute comedy by Fellini’s lesser known brother, Melvin:
The most original and compelling Fellini video I watched at the aforementioned YouTube.com is, 8 1/2 Mile.
The film makers at AV Club combine edited clips and haunting music from Fellini’s 8 1/2 with the hard driving
Eminem song, Lose Yourself, featured in the film 8 Mile.
Ginger and Fred, Fellini’s 1985 nostalgia fueled, sarcastic look at television finally gets a
Region 1 (USA) DVD release on Warner Home Video. Release date is, February 13.
The AMARCORD journal published by the Fondazione Federico Fellini in Rimini, Italia has two new issue out.
Lots of good reading for the Fellini-o-phile. This attractive publication is printed in English and Italian.
GQ Men’s Magazine recently published their list of the 25 Most Stylish Movies of All Time.
Fellini’s 8 1/2 made the list at #5. (La Dolce Vita would have been the obvious choice.)
Marcello Mastroianni’s “black suit, white shirt and black tie screamed classic confidence - even though
his character was falling apart,” says GQ.
Check out the other 24 films and cast your vote, here:
I’m always taken aback when I read a reference to Fellini in anything to do with sports,
especially American sports. In a review of the new Madden ‘07 video game in Sports Illustrated,
the name of the great Italian film auteur is invoked. Jocks everywhere are now wondering who the
heck Fellini is.
Fellini was fond of saying that “the truth is never clear, but lies are easily understood by everyone.”
I recently ran across this poem by Emily Dickinson that, in more ways than one, reminds me a lot of
Fellini and his idea and expression of truth:
Recently discovered on Google.com: Religions of the 25 Most Influential Film Directors.
A fascinating subject, for sure. Fellini is represented with references from several of his biographers.
One naturally thinks of Fellini as Catholic, but he was greatly influenced bu astrology and Jungian thought.
The 10th Shanghai International Film Festival will feature an Italian Film Panorama from January 19 - 28, 2007.
Organized by the Italian Ministry of Culture and others, the event will include the screening of 30 classic
Italian films, including, La Dolce Vita. Should be an interesting translation.
The poster for the 44th New York Film Festival (2006) held last fall featured an iconic photo of
Fellini directing Satyricon. This may have something to do with the festival sidebar, “50 years of Janus Films.”
Janus was the company that first brought Fellini and other films to the USA, and is directly responsible for
the creation of “art house cinema.”
Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria 50th Anniversary Calendar for 2007 are now available. Each month of the year
features an 8 1/2" x 11" color image from the worlds largest private collection of vintage Fellini memorabilia.
Posters from several countries, still photos, pressbooks and other rarely seen material is pictured.
The spiral bound calendar has a total of 20 carefully scanned images and a brief essay, printed on heavy paper.
It opens up to a full size of 11" x 17".
Cost: $20. each. Domestic Priority shipping is $5. Global Priority International shipping is $10.
Order through Paypal () or send check to address below.
Recent acquisitions to the archive include:
Casanova - Japanese poster
La Dolce Vita - Japanese poster
Variety Lights - Danish programme
Il Bidone - Danish programme
Variety Lights (Luci del Varieta) - Rare set of Italian fotobusta posters
These and many other treasures will soon be available for viewing at the web site:
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter.
Please advise if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Don Young
Halloween
In his final act of Felliniesqueness, Federico Fellini died in Rome on
Halloween Day, October 31, 1993.
He left the world a more interesting and beautiful place. He is greatly
missed my many people around the world. His famous quote is one of hope
and
inspiration:
"There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite
passion
of life."
Grazie caro amico!
DY
Fellini News Update #18
Fellini News
Update #18
July 4, 2006
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas-
Topics:
Tutto Fellini: Texas Style- The Power Of Persistence -
Gratitude
Olympiad: Fellini Style- Farewell To The Clowns Of Torino
People- The Lovely Gradisca At 74 - Fellini + Lakoff =
Dynamite!
Reviews- Life Is Sweet - Hollywood's Golden Age - Fellini And
Fantasy -
And The Ship Sails On x 2 - Ginger And Fred - Big Girls Don¹t Cry -
Verso La Luna Con Fellini - Trip To Tulum - Kezich Bio - Amarcord Reborn - Fellini Interviews
Odds Œn Ends Œn Trifles- Fellini In Istanbul - Peroni Beer¹s
Fellini Homage? - Ekberg's Dimensions - Juliet Of The Spirits Remake? - Strange Days - Take A Dose Of Fellini And Call Me In The Morning - Chesty Morgan's Twin
Talents
Appreciations- Circus Maximus - John Turturro/Nights Of
Cabiria - Eddra Gale: A Remembrance
Felliniana Archive News- First Major Exhibition - New
acquisitions
1.) Tutto Fellini
Texas:
The BIG BIG news is the fulfillment of a ten year struggle to bring
Tutto Fellini to my hometown, Fort Worth, Texas, aka: Cowtown. After
many false starts and dead ends, I finally found the right organization
and the right people who were able to pull off such a daunting event.
Tina Gorski of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, bless her heart,
hung in there for what turned out to be a much bigger challenge than
originally expected. I¹m sure she wanted kill me and maybe a few
Italians along the way. But I never doubted success if we remained
focused on the goal. We did, and that persistence has finally paid off.
Thanks, Tina!
There were many other good people who made essential contributions, not
the least of which is Mrs. Young. My wife, Debora, has had to endure
many a whine and moan from me as this event slowly unfolded. Her
encouragement and support has been vital.
Many thanks, as well to, Laila Gleason, Dink, Dr. Ted Price, Ben L, Mona
M, Frank B, Christina E, Eric B, Aldo V, Marco, Peter B, Joshua, Steve
and Orchestra Nostalgico, to my kids for depriving them of food to buy
Fellini posters and to all my friends whom I have pestered into watching
Fellini films over the years. Now I¹m asking you again. We need to fill
those seats or I¹m in big trouble!
In addition to the films, lectures, guest speakers and live music from
Orchestra Nostalgico, there will also be a major poster exhibition or
two. See details at bottom of page.
One of the first people I approached with my insane idea to bring Tutto
Fellini to Cowtown was local film critic and Renaissance man, Mike
Price. Actually, he¹s one of the few people I know whose eyes light up
at the very mention of Fellini¹s name. Mike will introduce, Fellini Satyricon at The Modern on,
August 27.
Here, he explains why you should not miss this chance to see Tutto
Fellini in Fort Worth:
In case you missed the Felliniesque closing ceremony of the 2006
Olympiad from Torino, Italy, you can see a lovely photo of the clown
performers, here:
Few men can resist the face of Magali Noel. Fellini was no exception.
The Turkish born beauty, born June 27, 1932, was a Fellini favorite and
had roles in La Dolce Vita (Fanny) and Fellini Satyricon (Fortunata).
But with her role as the lovely Gradisca in the 1974 classic,
Amarcord, Noel earned a place in the Fellini iconography. In addition to
being an actress, Noel had a career as a singer. Read her bio and
film/discography, here:
California resident and iconoclast, Aldo Vidali, sees parallels between
Nazi Germany and contemporary America. He ought to know since he was
there when
Mussolini ruled. In a recent essay, he discusses a film project that
combines the ideas of Berkeley professor, George Lakoff and the
cine-magic of Fellini. Read all about it, here:
American Film Institute co-founder, George Stevens, Jr. is the editor of
the mammoth, 710 page, Conversations With The Great Moviemakers Of
Hollywood¹s Golden Age At The AFI.
Ironically, this book on American film closes with interviews from
Renoir, Bergman, Ray and Fellini, men who worked far from Hollywoodland.
Eminent Fellini scholar, Peter Bondanella, has written a new lecture
titled, Fellini and Fantasy, the subject of which are the various and
surprising influences on Fellini¹s work. Prof. Bondanella will present
this lecture at the upcoming, Tutto Fellini film festival, at The Modern
Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Fine Arts Museum of Houston.
Another late period Fellini, Ginger and Fred, gets the DVD Times
treatment. Once again, it¹s the EXTRAS that are most notable. (Both of
these discs are Region 2 and not playable on MOST U.S. DVD players.
However, I bought a Philips brand DVD player at Target for $60. that
plays ALL DVD¹s.)
Former showgirl, erotic novelist and mother of Paula Yates, Helene
Thornton has written a tell-all biography that includes an anecdote of
an alleged tryst with Fellini.
True or not, this excerpt from, Big Girls Don¹t Cry, IS hilarious.
Scroll about halfway down and read it, here:
Christina Engelhardt worked 14 years to bring Verso La Luna Con Fellini
(Towards The Moon With Fellini) to the public. It finally premiered in
April at the Beverly Hills Film Festival . The actress/producer and her
director, Eugenio Cappuccio were rewarded with the Best Foreign Film
prize. The film has been called a semi mocumentary of Fellini shooting
his final film, Voice of the Moon.
Christina was also the inspiration for the character of Helen in the
Fellini penned, Milo Manara illustrated graphic novel, Trip To Tulum.
Not only that, as a member of Fellini¹s inner circle, she actually
played a similar role in real life.
Dallas Morning News film critic, Chris Vognar, reviews the new Fellini
bio by Tullio Kezich. Chris will introduce the first three films at
Tutto Fellini in Fort Worth on August 18.
The Criterion Collection is reissuing Amarcord on DVD with a new high
definition digital transfer and lots of other goodies. Included in this
cornucopia of goodies is a second disc of commentary (Peter Brunette and Frank Burke), interviews (Magali Noel!), a new documentary, a deleted scene AND...a large selection of
rare posters and other ephemera from the Felliniana Archive in Fort
Worth, Texas.
The whole package from Criterion of this well loved
Fellini classic has been lovingly put together. It's due in September.
See the Criterion website for pics and more info:
Much of Fellini¹s inner most thoughts and wisdom came out in the
thousands interviews he gave. The University Press of Mississippi has
published a series of interviews with Fellini, simply titled, Federico
Fellini: Interviews.
The interviews, edited by Bert Cardullo, span the years from 1957
through Fellini¹s death in 1993. Selections include, the 1966 Playboy
interview and five others with Fellini friend and historian, Gideon
Bachman. I have observed that some of the most candid interviews Fellini
granted were to girlie magazines. In addition to the Playboy interview,
the Don Young Felliniana Archive has many such, obscure girlie mag
interviews featuring a robust Fellini at his charming best. Until those
are published, I highly recommend this new collection:
Last March, a slimmed down, Tutto Fellini took Turkey by storm with
screenings of nine films at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Fellini
friend, Gianfranco Angelucci, was on hand.
Peroni Beer is launching $50 million dollar campaign to promote it's new
product using Fellini's, La Dolce Vita for inspiration. Commercials for
the beer were filmed at Rome¹s famous, Trevi Fountain, with a skinny
model taking the place of Fellini film icon, Anita Ekberg, the very
embodiment of the word statuesque. Hmmm...I wonder what Fellini would
think about this.
Speaking of the always outspoken, Anita Ekberg, in an interview with The
Australian, she talks about her life in the cinema and, what she thinks
about those Peroni beer ads.
Delia Bajo and Brainard Carey are artists of a different sort. They
recently announced their intentions to remake Fellini¹s psychological
psychedelia from 1965, Juliet of the Spirits. But when these two, known
together as, Praxis, talk about a remake, it¹s probably not what you¹d
expect.
When Joel Brodsky designed the album cover art for The Doors classic LP,
Strange Days, he drew inspiration form Fellini¹s timeless film from
1954, La Strada.
In a sign of Fellini¹s long reach into contemporary culture, health guru
Dr. Andrew Weil, uses the character of Cabiria in Fellini¹s 1957 film,
Nights of Cabiria, as an example of healthy acceptance of a bad
experience.
In his newly published book, Healthy Aging, Weil calls the films
finale, perhaps the greatest three minutes in film history. He writes,
³It is a very powerful expression of the philosophy I urge you to apply
in your own life.² See page 219.
OK. Let¹s be honest. Chesty Morgan was famous for the size of her
breasts: 77FF, to be precise. An observant Fellini cast her for a small
role in Casanova, a film overflowing with feminine oddities. But is
there more to Ms. Morgan than her, Deadly Weapons? That question is
pondered by journalist Bill Gibron in PopMatters.
For actor and director, John Turturro, it was love at first viewing
with, Fellini¹s 1957 Oscar winner, Nights of Cabiria. In a continuing
series, The London Telegraph, lets film makers talk about their favorite
films:
Fellini's masterpiece, 8 1/2, would not be the same without the pivotal
role of the character, Saraghina. Chicago native and former opera singer
Eddra Gale was perfectly cast as the grotesque but sweet natured,
coastal dwelling prostitute whose nickname was was derived from the fact
that she would trade sex for sardines. More notably, she would do the
rumba for little Guido and his friends for a coin or two, at least until
the priest caught them red handed.
Among other roles, she played the woman on the bus in, The Graduate,
but personally, I remember her most fondly as the Love Lady, aka: Kiss
My Butterfly in, I Love You, Alice B. Toklas. But like many other
actors, she will be remembered most for her role in a Fellini film.
Sadly, Ms. Gale died in 2001 at the age of 79. Be sure and remember this
shining star of the Fellinian universe on her birthday, July 16. Ciao,
Saraghina.
Fellini has had many imitators and emulators, from Bob Fosse to Woody
Allen to Martin Scorsese to Cirque Soliel. I suspect there will be many
more. Recently I was reminded of one that I missed when it first
premiered: Gene Wilder¹s 1977 remake of the White Sheik, The World¹s
Greatest Lover.
The first major exhibition of posters from the Don Young Felliniana
Archive will take place from, August 1 - 31, as part of the Tutto
Fellini Film Festival. A select group of posters will be displayed in
the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth theater.
A much larger group featuring hundreds of rarely seen posters from all
over the world will be displayed inside the former Modern Art Museum
building, now known as the Fort Worth Community Arts Center.
Opening reception will be, Friday, August 4, from 7 - 9 PM.
Yet another group of U.S. posters will be exhibited at the Museum of
Fine Arts, Houston, from September 1 through October 8. The complete
schedule of events for Tutto Fellini: Houston will soon be available at
their website:
Very rare, Style B, original release, German, La Dolce Vita.
1948 Italian poster from the film, Senza Pieta
(Without Pity). Fellini wrote the screenplay
for this classic neo realsit drama before his directorial career
began.
Extremely rare programme from the British premiere of La Dolce
Vita.
Two rare Italian posters from the first release of La Strada.
Christmas greeting card from Cineriz Studios in Rome, with cover
photograph from
the yet to be released film, 8 1/2.
These and many other treasures will soon be available for viewing at the
website:
http://www.felliniana.com
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter. Please advise
if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini on popular culture.
February 22, 2006
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas-
Topics:
1.) In Memoriam- La Masina Day!
2.) Olympiad: Fellini style- Clowns, Acrobats and Flame Spurting Robots.
3.) People- Wong Kar Lee parallels Fellini.
4.) Reviews- Fellini¹s Casanova on DVD - La Dolce Vita: Supersized! - Dolce Vita Stylin¹ - Remembering when mainstream film was more than fluff.
5.) Six Degrees of Separation- Cameron Crowe finds solace in Fellini.
6.) Student Essay of the Month- Only in the Movies and at the Ritz Carlton.
7.) Odds Œn Ends Œn Trifles- 100 Icons - Basketball and Fellini? - Fellini on ice - Fellini immortalized. In plastic???
8.) Felliniana Archive News- 2006 calendars - New acquisitions.
1.) In Memoriam:
February 22, is Giulietta Masina¹s birth date. The longer she is gone, the more she grows on me. Her work in, La Strada and Nights of Cabiria become more cherished and timeless.
Here¹s to the memory of, La Masina!
2.) Olympiad: Fellini style:
>Most of the world knows by now about the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy. The opening ceremonies had Fellini written all over them, especially the flame spurting speed skaters who reminded me of the motorcyclists in Fellini¹s Roma. The closing ceremony will be even more Felliniesque, with clowns, acrobats and a high wire act. The clowns will be wearing the actual costumes worn in the 1971 film, The Clowns. Read more here:
>Fellini¹s Casanova finally gets a U.K. release on DVD by the relative newcomer, inD DVD. It¹s still missing a few minutes, but is the best yet. The two disc set features some enticing extras. (Attn. US readers: I recently discovered a DVD player at Target Stores for $60. that will play multi region discs, including this one. Phillips model, DVP 642/37) Read a DVD Times review here:
>Koch Lorber Films, who released a beautifully restored two disc model of, La Dolce Vita, just last year, has pulled out all the stops with a, three disc, Deluxe Collectors Edition. The oversized leatherette box comes with a set of postcards, a reproduction of the original Italian poster and a 40 page booklet featuring a new essay by Peter Bondanella. This makes a nice companion to the Dolce Vita Style book (see above). Among the many extra¹s, is a rare bio of Nino Rota, directed by Mario Monicelli. Read a review, here:
>A new book by titled, Dolce Vita Style, is the jumping off point for Œ60¹s Rome and the people who inspired the movie. Loaded with great photos and excellent commentary. Read more, here:
>Trends, fads and formulas, the sad stuff of most modern cinema, were not always so. Columnist, Simon Wood, remembers a time when intelligent films by the likes of Fellini, Bergman, Kurosawa and others drew large mainstream crowds to movie theaters. Read his intriguing essay, here:
>Film scholar, John C. Stubbs, has found a new angle of Fellini criticism. His new book, Federico Fellini As Auteur: Seven Aspects of His Films, is due for release, March 15. Stubbs previously authored a Fellini bibliography. Read reviews by Peter Bondanella and others at Amazon, here:
Tullio Kezich met Fellini in 1951, and they remained friends throughout Fellini¹s life. He has revised and updated his 1988 Fellini biography, Federico Fellini: His Life and Work, which will be published in English on March 7. I believe this the first English translation. Read reviews at Amazon, here:
>What makes an Icon? Variety Magazine, the entertainment trade journal, celebrated it¹s 100th anniversary by taking a stab at that question and announcing their, 100 Entertainment Icons of the 20th Century. Natch, Signor Fellini made the cut. See them all here:
>Dont you just love it when a dead Italian film directors name gets dropped by sportswriter, Bruce Hooley, in his report on American college basketball. Makes me think there¹s hope for this old world:
>In a bizarre clash of cultures, a pair of Russian figure skaters won a competition in China skating to the music of the Italian films of Fellini. Very fitting, Œeh Maestro? Read more, here:
>The 2006 Fellini International Art Posters Calendar is still available. It¹s the coolest. Please contact me if you want one.
Recent acquisitions to the archive include, an original, signed photograph of Fellini and his pal Ray Bradbury taken in Rome in 1991. His written comments on the back, refer to Fellini as his Martin friend.
Other new additions include a very rare, original, 4 sheet Italian poster of, Tre Passi nel Delirio, aka: Spirits of the Dead, three Italian, original fotobusta posters from I Vitelloni and a rare Japanese 2 sheet poster from Fellini Roma.
These and many other treasures will soon be available for viewing at the website:
http://www.felliniana.com
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter.
Don Young
Fellini News Update #16
Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini on popular culture.
October 2, 2005
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas
Topics:
1) Felliniana Archive News- More to come
2) In Memoriam- Tonino Delli Colli
3) People- The music of Tod Dockstader - Brinke Stevens, horror queen - Aldo Vidali¹s Fellini inspired activism - John Boorman on 8 1/2 - Isabella Rossellini channels, Fellini? - Fellini/Porn actress dead? -
4) Six Degrees of Separation- David Lynch -
5) Festival News- Venice Film Fest features dueling Casanova¹s - Baltic Pearl Intl. Film Festival - Vancouver¹s Tutto Fellini - Yalies love Fellini (with M. Marcus¹ help) -
6) Book/Music/DVD/Broadway News & Reviews- DVDTimes does Juliet of the Spirits - Terry Gilliam¹s Fellini inspired gluttony, The Brothers Grimm - BFI¹s new Il Bidone DVD - La Dolce Vita gets Deluxe treatment - Bartoli channels, Ekberg? -
7) Student Essay of the Month- A lazy film student¹s best friend? -
8) Odds Œn Ends Œn Trifles- Fellini portrait artist of the month - Fellini erotica pulls crowds - Dolce Vita as chalk art -
1) Felliniana Archive News:
>This Update and all the previous ones will be available online at the website very soon. You can also expect to find a more complete sampling of the ever-growing archive in the near future, as well. Thanks for looking:
>Famed Italian Cinematographer, Tonino Delli Colli, has died at age 91. Best known famous for his masterful work on Sergio Leone¹s spaghetti westerns, he also collaborated with Fellini on Ginger e Fred, Intervista and La Voce della Luna. Read more here:
>American composer, Ted Dockstader helped invent electronic music. His 1960 debut, Eight Electronic Pieces, still shock. Portions of that work became part of the soundtrack for Fellini¹s Satyricon. Read his fascinating story here:
>Queen of the B-movie horror films, 51 year old Brinke Stevens, (who?) met Fellini in Los Angeles in the 80¹s, during his Carlos Casteneda journey. She recently announced that she is working on a script about the two weeks she spent with the Maestro and his entourage. Read more here:
>Aldo Vidali has lived an amazing life. The Belgian born, Roman educated author/film maker was captured by the Nazi¹s as a boy, explored the Brazilian wilderness, prospected in Mexico, and met and worked with Fellini during the Mastorna period. And that was just the first third of his life! In his latest project, Aldo the director plans to incorporate the ³Fellini Style² in his upcoming film, Deflating The Elephant. Read about the film here:
>British film director John Boorman gives his fascinating take on Fellini¹s majestic, 8 1/2. It¹s all part of U.K. Telegraph¹s wonderful online discussion, Film Makers on Film.
>Isabella Rossellini, famous actress and daughter of Roberto Rossellini, founder of Neo-realism, stars in a new 17 minute film by Guy Maddin. Titled, My Dad is 100 Years Old, the short film consists of angry debates between Roberto, Alfred Hitchcock, Federico Fellini and Gone With The Wind director David O. Selznick, with a cameo by Charlie Chaplin and a scene in which Isabella talks to her mom Ingrid Bergman. Read more here:
>The death of Italy's most famous porn actress more than a decade ago is being investigated on the suspicion that it was faked to hide her links to "a top politician". Moana Pozzi, made her film debut in Fellini¹s Ginger and Fred.
>American film director, David Lynch, the auteur behind ³Blue Velvet,² ³Mulholland Drive,² the TV show ³Twin Peaks,² and ³Eraserhead² is strange. In a recent interview discussing his promotion of transcendental meditation he was asked who his heroes are. His immediate response: Federico Fellini. Read the interview here:
>This past summer at the Venice Film Festival the new Disney release, Casanova, by Lasse Hallstrom was unspooled along with a restored print of Fellini¹s version. Methinks there is little to compare. Read a report here:
>³The art that embalms time², is a quote from film critic Andre Bazin, referring to films of Italian neo-realism. The Baltic Pearl International Film Festival, in Riga, Latvia, featured eleven classic films from this period at this years festival. Fellini played a major role. Read more here:
>Pacific Cinematheque, a not for profit film society in Vancouver, approaches film much like an art museum approaches painting and sculpture. In honor of the Picasso of film, they recently exhibited the complete works of Fellini on their screen. Read more here:
>Yale University¹s, Whitney Humanities Center filled to the brim with cinephiles recently at the opening gala for the center's new series of 35mm films, "The Cinema at Whitney." New faculty member, Millicent (Penny) Marcus¹ choice for the inagural film? Fellini¹s 8 1/2. Read more here:
>As mentioned in FNU #15, DVD Times is one of the best places to read DVD reviews. Their in depth reporting compares U.S. and U.K. releases. Check out their take on Juliet of the Spirits here:
>Toronto film critic, Wendy Banks, opens her review of Terry Gilliam¹s latest film, The Brothers Grimm, with a direct comparison with Fellini¹s 8 1/2. Read the review here:
>DVD Times reviews the new British Film Institute¹s release, Il Bidone. The big news: An additional 17 minutes have been restored to this obscure Fellini classic from 1955. Read more here:
>Koch-Lorber Films who released a Collector¹s Edition, 2 disc version of La Dolce Vita just a few months ago, will soon release a De-Luxe Collector¹s Edition with a faux leather and gold leaf package AND a third disc of interesting Bonus Material. Read about it here:
>Opera diva, Cecilia Bartoli, has a new CD of arias with a Fellini twist. Using a bit of shameless promotion, the singer dresses up in Ekberg-esque clothing as worn in La Dolce Vita. Images from the film decorate the cover and the booklet.
Too busy to write that term paper on 8 1/2? A lack of critical thinking got you down? No problem !!! Just shell out $53.95 and you can get one written for you. Read more about the dumbing down of America here:
http://www.academon.com/lib/paper/42544.html
8) Odds Œn Ends Œn Trifles:
>Artist of the Month: From time to time I run across artists who portray Fellini in various media. Some more successfully than others. Check out the block print portrait of Fellini by Stephen Alcorn here:
>A gallery in Krems, Austria, is exhibiting a selection of Fellini erotica from his later years and is drawing crowds. You may learn more than you want to know about il Maestro, here:
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter. Please advise if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Don Young
Don Young Felliniana Archive
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147
USA
http://www.felliniana.com
Fellini News Update #15
Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini
on popular culture.
July 25, 2005
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas
Topics:
1) Felliniana Archive News- becomes a reality -
2) In Memoriam- Beluzzona - Alberto Lattuada -
3) People- Scorsese pimping? - Casanova giantess turns 50 - Eric Burritt speaks -
Dante Ferretti in Venice -David Parenti’s, Fellini X -
4) Six Degrees of Separation- Fellini/Flash Gordon/Skywalker - John Waters/Fellini -
5) Festival News- Toronto’s Fellini Express -
6) Book/Music/DVD/Broadway News & Reviews- Marco Pesaresi’s Rimini -
AMARCORD Magazine- Rota/Fellini Folk Opera - Lupo does La Strada - I Vitelloni review -
Fellini and Success - DVD.Times.com - CriterionCo.com News - Sweet Charity on Broadway -
3 Tales of a Fountain - Foreign Films in America - Fellini’s Rossini -
7) Student Essay of the Month- Mr. Holmes gives 8 1/2 a 10.
8) Odds ‘n Ends ‘n Trifles- G.Q.’s “Best Pair” Poll - U.N.E.S.C.O.’s Fellini medal -
Fellini 5 Euro - Fortean Fellini - Fellini Costumery @ The Pushkin - Time’s Film Poll
1) Felliniana Archive News:
Please check out the new Don Young Felliniana Archive website. Gradually,
most of the 5000 item collection will be available as an online gallery as well as this
and all previous Fellini News Updates. Thanks for looking.
July 26 marks the anniversary birth date of Maria Antonietta Beluzzi, the lovely,
excitable tobacconist in AMARCORD. Her small role made a big impact in the film
and secured her place in the Felliniian iconography. (See Odds ‘n Ends below) She
made few other films in a brief career, but she left an indelible mark with her sweet
face and that blue angora sweater. I’ll definitely be raising a toast to her memory on
Tuesday.You can read the Variety obit, here:
http://print.google.com/print/doc?articleid=RTbnTmjjiDG
Alberto Lattuada, Italian film director, has died at age 90. He is probably best
known as having co-directed Fellini’s first film, VARIETY LIGHTS (Luci del Varieta).
You can read more about the man and his other Fellini connections, here:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1521296,00.html
3) People:
Martin Scorsese has struck a deal with Philips Electronics Co. to promote their
new Ambilight widescreen Flat TV.
Scorsese was asked to come up with 10 films that demonstrate masterful use of light
and color. "Films use light and color to tell a story in a special narrative way, which delivers
a strong emotional and intellectual impact on the viewer," Scorsese said. "That made a
very strong impression on me and has affected how I try to use color in all of my films."
Included in his selections is Fellini’s SATYRICON. I couldn’t agree more. Check out the
complete lists and read more at:
Dante Ferretti, Fellini’s set designer from City of Women to Ginger and Fred, will head the
jury for the 2005 Venice Film Festival this fall. He recently worked on The Aviator for Scorsese.
Italian artist, David Parenti , creates strikingly beautiful works in pencil and mixed media.
His works dedicated to Federico Fellini are now available in a new book, Fellini X.
According to media essayist, Jim Hill, no less than Federico Fellini is directly responsible for
the existence of the Star Wars films of George Lucas. The story goes like this: Lucas’ dream
project was to do a remake of Flash Gordon. Only problem was someone else owned the rights.
Someone named Fellini! Unable to secure the rights, Lucas started work on a new idea featuring
a guy named Skywalker. Read this fascinating story, here:
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1542
Toronto, Ontario is the latest stop on the Tutto Fellini express as it travels to every corner
of the globe, except Texas. (Yet.) All 24 of Fellini’s films will be screened through August 20.
Read about that and other exciting events at Cinematheque Ontario, here:
Rimini, a new book by the late Italian photographer, Marco Pesaresi, whose photo images are
evocative of Fellini’s, will be available in September. Check out this link to a slide show of his work:
AMARCORD, the indispensable periodical published by the Fondazione Federico Fellini in
Rimini, has two new issues available. The most recent focuses on it’s namesake film, AMARCORD,
with a reexamination of the film. Read about it here:
http://www.federicofellini.it/amarcord.asp?id=331
Nino Rota, Federico Fellini and the Making of an Italian Cinematic Folk Opera:Amarcord.
Such is the cumbersome title of what may prove to be the most in depth study ever undertaken
on the subject of the Fellini/Rota collaboration. Author, Franco Sciannameo, is a world class
violist, scholar and teacher, whose book appears to be a fascinating examination of music and
the film from a totally unique perspective. Prof. Paul Chiarra writes, “The story of Nino Rota and
Federico Fellini may well come to be understood as the model for the future of classical composers
and their music, rather than as a glamorous anomaly.” Read more here:
Van Cluburn Piano Competition medalist, Benedetto Lupo, has released a new CD featuring
the adapted ballet suite from the film score of LA STRADA by Fellini musical collaborator,
Nino Rota. Read a review, here:
Success: Advice for Achieving Your Goals from Remarkably Accomplished People , a new
book edited by Jena Pincott, quotes J.K. Rowling and Federico Fellini, among others, on getting
started. Read a review, here:
http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375425899
I recently discovered DVD Times, a web site that has very comprehensive DVD reviews,
notably, several Fellini’s. They compare and contrast, in depth, the various international releases.
The reviews are especially helpful for the newly initiated Fellini fan building a collection.
The Criterion Collection, “the gold standard” for film restoration and DVD releases, has
announced the launch of a monthly newsletter. Read about it and sign up, here:
Christina Applegate stars as Charity in the new Broadway production, Sweet Charity, which is
based on Bob Fosse’s film and starred Shirley McClaine which is based on Fellini’s film, The Night’s
of Cabiria and starred Giulietta Masina in the title role. Read more, here:
A new book titled, Le Lettere di Ottavia, by Luigi Malerba, stirs a debate on what is, perhaps the
most famous scene in Italian film history: Anita Ekberg’s romp in the Trevi Fountain in Fellini’s,
La Dolce Vita. Read more, here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1479384,00.html
Foreign Films in America: A History, is the title of a recent book by Kerry Segrave, that traces the
history of the foreign film in America from its domination in the early days to its low standing in the present.
A new production of Rossini’s opera, Il Turco in Italia, opened recently in London’s Covent Garden.
According to director Moshe Leiser, “Because this piece is not realistic, it gives us a freedom of approach,
and we want to pay a tribute to the Italy we love and to that master of film, Federico Fellini.” Read more, here:
Joe Holmes, a freshman at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, wrote this
mini review of Fellini’s 8 1/2. He gives it a “10”!. Say Amen, somebody! Read it here:
Speaking of icons, GQ magazine, that bastion of all things male testosterone, has published a poll
asking readers to vote for their “Favorite Pair “ from a list of 19 movie actresses. To my pleasant
surprise, Maria Antonietta Beluzzi, who played the unforgettable tobacconist in Fellini’s AMARCORD,
made the list. You can read ‘em all and vote, if you must, here:
U.N.E.S.C.O. first unveiled this commemorative medal at Cannes in 1994, in recognition of the
centenary of the birth of cinema as well as Fellini’s enormous contributions. It features a profile of
Fellini and is available in gold, silver and bronze. See the medal, buy one and read more, here:
In other coin news, the 85th anniversary of his birth, the Italian Ministry of Finance has issued a
commemorative 5 Euro silver coin bearing his image. You can an view an image of it here:
I learned a new word today: “Fortean”. The term, derived form the name of a Mr. Charles Fort, was
coined to describe strange phenomena with no suitable explanation, such as out-of-body experiences,
ESP, ghosts, UFO’s etc. It all sounds very Felliniesque, no? Nigel Watson has written an engaging essay
on how all this relates specifically to Fellini. Read about it, here:
In June, at the Pushkin Museum on Red Square in Moscow, there was a fashion show featuring the
costumes from famous Italian films, including three of Fellini’s. Against a backdrop of film clips, models
did their thing. Read more, here:
Time Magazine’s film critics, Richard Schickel and Richard Corliss recently selected Fellini’s 8 1/2 as
one of the 100 All Time Best Films. No surprise there.
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter. Please advise if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Don Young
Don Young Felliniana Archive
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147
USA
http://www.felliniana.com
Fellini News Update #14
Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini on popular culture.
April 24, 2005
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas
Topics:
1) DVD Alert !!!! - Boccaccio 70 available at last. New Intervista DVD.
2) Book News/Reviews - Clive James, Umberto Eco, Peter Bondanella, Roger Ebert, Pauline Kael and more.
3) Music News/Reviews -Strange bedfellows: Fellini, Rota and Bette Midler? - Mr. Lucky reviews Rota classics
4) Seattle Conference News - Hell is about to freeze over
5) Student Essay of the Month - The Dubious Skill of Remembering
6) Fellini Onstage - Into the Acid Fountain. Decadence in Minnesota
7) Odds and Ends - Fellini's Muses - Get fit with Fellini
8) Felliniana Archive News - Website announcement
1) DVD Alert !!!!!:
At long last, Boccaccio 70, the rarely seen 1962 omnibus film featuring episodes by 4 of the most
renowned Italian directors of the 60's is now available on DVD in the U.S. with English subtitles.
Fellini's contribution, The Temptation of Dr. Antonio, is one of his most "Fellini-esque" works,
bringing together such disparate elements as a 50 foot tall Anita Ekberg in all her glory, a troop
of Boy Scouts, a flurry of nuns and a real live Cupid. Those who have watched with a mixture of
curiosity and alarm the moral ambiguities of certain members of the Bush administration will get
a kick out of the title character, played by Peppino de Filippo.
Released by NoShame Films, an exciting new company that plans to focus on neglected Italian
films, Boccaccio 70 is presented in a widescreen digital anamorphic transfer and has tons of "extras".
Read more here:
Intervista, Fellini's mock-doc, co-written by Gianfranco Angelucci, gets a proper DVD treatment
with a new release by Koch-Lorber Films, the same company that brought La Dolce Vita to DVD
last year and hints at other Fellini surprises in the future. Their version has 5.1 Surround Sound
and enhanced in16x9 widescreen. Bonus materials include the trailer, a special documentary by
Vincenzo Mollica, on the set photo gallery, etc. A great improvement over the previously
available DVD. Read all the details here:
In what I think is a first for a Fellini book, Peter Bondanella's 2002 book, The Films of
Federico Fellini, covering 5 Fellini films is now available as an "E-book". His essay on 8 1/2
is a tour de force. You can purchase and download the entire book at Amazon:
I recently discovered a wonderful essay on Fellini by the Australian culture critic and
TV personality, Clive James. The essay, Mondo Fellini, written for the New Yorker, 5/21/93,
and now available in a collection titled, As of This Writing, is highly recommended.
An interesting take on Fellini's, Ginger and Fred, by Italian writer, Umberto Eco, titled,
Phantom of Neo-TV, is available in his collection, Apocalypse Postponed, 1994. He writes of
the three levels of Fellini's imagination and ties that in with his own views of television. This one
slipped by me at the time of publication and is worth looking up.
I recently discovered on film critic Roger Ebert's website, a fascinating selection of capsuled
reviews by him and several other famous reviewers from the 60's and 90's, including Peter
Bogdonavich and the always fun, Pauline Kael. Great fun.
This definitely falls under the heading, "Trivialities", but nonetheless, when Bette Midler
got married to her latest hubby in Las Vegas a few years ago she chose the soundtrack to, Juliet of the Spirits, for her wedding music. She also claims the music is ideal for cleaning
the house to. Read more than you'll ever want to know here:
Another recent discovery is a great site for music reviews: MrLucky.com. Where else can one
read a fresh review of the 1961 soundtrack to La Dolce Vita and 1965's Juliet of the Spirits?
In a sign that hell is about to freeze over, the long awaited filmed documentary of the
2003 Fellini International Academic Conference in Seattle is nearing completion.
Film maker, Eric Burritt, now has a website to advertise and promote the upcoming film titled,
Fellini: Ungrateful Celebration. Read up on what Eric and company have been up to here:
It's always fun reading what students come up with when writing essays on Fellini.
My most recent discovery is titled, The Dubious Skill of Remembering: Fellini's Amarcord
and Art Cinema. Unfortunately, I have not been able to identify the author who remains
unknown, but you can read the thought-provoking essay here:
In 2001, an organization that calls itself, The Ministry of Cultural Warfare, based in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, produced a play for the Minnesota Fringe Festival entitled, Into
the Acid Fountain: The Federico Fellini Variety Hour. Written by Matthew Foster, the play
is both a parody of and homage to La Dolce Vita, with Marcello as a gay art school drop
out and featuring some very weird cabaret acts. Need I write more? Read all about this
hilarious sacrilege at:
Italian gate manufacturer, FAAC has been producing promotional "art calendars"
since 1999. For their 40th anniversary in 2005 and in association with Federico Fellini
Fondazione in Italy, they have issued, "Fellini's Muses", a gorgeous calendar of Fellini erotica.
Vita Digital Productions has produced a exercise fitness, treadmill video they call, La Dolce Vita, a virtual walk through the Eternal City in moving pictures. Along the
way you pass Fellini haunts such as Harry's Bar along the Via Veneto, Trevi's Fountain
and all the usual sights. "For the person who as everything". Check it out here:
The Don Young Felliniana Archive website will up and running soon. The complete archive,
organized by film title, will eventually be available online. Articles and essays from rare
magazine, newspapers, books and other material spanning 50 years will be available for
sale in digital or hard copy format. I will announce the opening of the website via email ASAP.
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter. Please advise if you wish to be
removed from the mailing list.
Don Young
Don Young Felliniana Archive
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147
USA
Fellini News Update #13
Researching and documenting the influence of Federico Fellini on contemorary culture.
Februrary 22, 2005
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas
Topics:
1) Happy Birthday Giulietta - People
2) The Smiles of Rome - Literature
3) Cabaret Nino Rota - Music
4) AMARCORD - Periodicals
5) Intervista on DVD - Film
6) Fellini in effigy - Odds and Ends
7) Fellini Friday - Events
8) Federico Fellini and Toulouse-Lautrec: A comparison. Plus: Federico's Dream - Literature
9) Seatle Conference - Events
10) Felliniana Archive News
11) Fellini's Penance, Dr. Theodore Price - People/Literature
1) Happy Birthday Giulietta Masina
First and foremost, February 22, is the birthdate of Giulietta Masina, aka: Mrs. Fellini, aka: Gelsomina, Cabiria, Ginger, et al., aka: La Maisna. Her career was pretty much defined by her work with Federico. She appeared in eight of his films. Although she won numerous awards for her acting across Europe, it was only the films that won Academy Awards. Both La Strada (which was the first ever film to win an Oscar for Best Foreign Film) and Nights of Cabiria won Oscars and both are difficult to imagine without Masina's inspired acting. She was certainly as deserving of those golden stauettes as much as her director.
With that in mind, I propose a toast in hommage to and in memory of La Masina. Cheers!
2) The Smiles of Rome
Author Susan Cahill adds a twist to the literary anthology genre by selecting passages by 29 writers using them as a launch pad into a notated tour of the Eternal City. From Ovid to Updike to...Fellini, of course! The book will be available March 1. Read the complete New York Times review here:
Going to Umbria this summer? Aren't we all. An intriguing theatrical performance featuring the music of Nino Rota will be performed in June as part of the Orvieto Musical Cinema Festival, a marriage between music and cinema. Reckon it will make it to Texas? Nah. Read the scoop here:
AMARCORD, The quarterly, bi-lingual, journal published by Fondazione Federico Fellini in Rimini, has a new issue focusing on Fellini's La Strada, and featuring an essay by Peter Bondanella. (The mag is available stateside from ) Read about it here:
Previously hard to find on DVD, Fellini's late film Intervista will be available March 1, from Koch-Lorber Films, the same company that released La Dolce Vita on DVD last October. Exciting news about other Fellini releases by K-L will be announced soon. Check it out here:
The Italian town of Gambettola is famous for, among other things, it's Easter Monday Spring Carnivale -like a Macy's New Years Day parade with creatively designed floats parading through the narrow streets. In 1999 they had a float in ommage to Fellini. Very Felliniesque. Read all about it and see the float here:
This sounds like a good idea. Art After Dark, "a dynamic group of young adults exploring the visual arts" at the Honolulu Academy of Arts presents, Fellini Friday: "Fellini films, fabulous Italian eats and Ferrari's!" Sponsored by Fellini/Maserati of Hawaii. I don't make this stuff up:
8) Federico Fellini-Toulouse-Lautrec and Federico's Dream
Two immortal artists; Rome and Paris; Belle-Epoque and La Dolce Vita; The circus and and beautiful women. These and other comparisons are put forward in this 2003 book, edited by Alessandro Nicosia. (Not to be confused with the 1973 book on Lautrec with an introduction by Fellini entitled, "Why I Love Lautrec".) Read more here:
Another book published back in 1994 only recently came to my attention: Federico's Dream, by Monica Sangberg. It's a beautifully illustrated picture book for childeren ages 7 - 9 that tells the story of a small boy named Federico who is a magician with a traveling circus. Available in French, German, Italian and Spanish language. Read more here:
Word on the street is that the publication/release of the academic papers presented at the Felliniana Conference in Seattle 2003 as well as a documentary DVD is moving closer to reality. No definite word on exactly when that will be, however. Stay tuned.
10) Felliniana Archive News
I still have a few copies of my 2005 Fellini Eroticon calendar available. The cost is $20. which now includes free shipping.
Finally, Don Young Felliniana Archive recently acquired one of the hardest to find of all Fellini posters: an original British quad of La Strada. Apparently, very few of these posters survived the initial British release in 1954. This is the first one I've seen in over 10 years of collecting Felliniana.
11) Fellini's Penance
I recently made contact with Dr. Theodore Price who is with the English department at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Along with his late wife, Barbara, he edited the gold standard Fellinian bibliography in 1976, Federico Fellini: An Annotated International Biblography. With the help of this book, I was able to build one of the most complete Fellini libraries in the USA. After recently discovering an obscure booklet he wrote on the subject of Fellini's Amarcord entitled, Fellini's Penance, I managed to track Ted down and offer my gratitude for his brilliant insight into Fellini's great work. You can find a few more copies of this out-of-print essay here:
Don't forget to raise a glass in memory of La Masina.
I welcome contributions and feedback to this newsletter. Please advise if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Don Young
Don Young Felliniana Archive
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147
USA
Fellini News Update #12
December 2, 2004
Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas-
Topics:
1) Nino Rota Day
2) La Dolce Vita. Big as Dallas!
3) Fellini Eroticon calendar
4) London calling
5) A horse named Fellini
1) Happy Birthday, Nino!
December 3, is the birthdate of Fellini's longtime musical partner Nino Rota. I know many of you share my enthusiasm for his music. Rota left us with an abundance of works to discover and rediscover. It's impossible to to pick a single favorite.
One of my favorites, however, is Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova D' Orchestra). From the opening movement with it's tick-tock rhythm to the mysterioso/clown-like passages of I Gemelli allo Specchio and Valzerino #72, the piece carries one along as if in a beautiful dream. Then comes what I feel is the prettiest melody Rota ever composed, the delicate Attesa (Waiting). Can there be a more romantic slow dance piece or antidote to road rage? But nothing gets my blood pumping like the Galop with it's turbulent rhythms, thunderous kettle drums and soaring French Horns. (I recommend cranking the speakers way up for this section.) The finale brings us gently back to earth with a return to the beginning. Da Capo!
The music for this neglected film would be Rota's last. He died shortly after completing it. Fellini said poetically of Rota's passing, "When he died, I was left with a kingdom of silent shadows."
2) La Dolce Vita. Big as Dallas!
On a brighter note, a brand new 35 mm print of, La Dolce Vita, is now playing worlwide at a theatre near you. Even in Dallas, where it starts tomorrow at the Angelika Theatre. Nothing beats Fellini on the big screen, so don't miss this opportunity. For more info about the Dallas shows:
A limited edition 2005 Fellini calendar, this year titled, Fellini Eroticon, is coming soon. Twelve months of carefully selected erotic images from the Don Young Felliniana Archive can be yours for $30. which is our cost for the short print run.
4) London calling
The recent Fellini Retrospective in London was a huge smash. The National Film Theatre, announced that it was the most successful event in NFT history. A large, mostly young audience of over 25,000 attended. Many patrons had to be turned away due to sell outs, it is reported.
5) A horse named Fellini
Dick Reed, owner of Toskhara Arabians in Aubrey, Texas, has a new stallion he named Fellini. They say he excells in the breeding barn. He is a handsome horse, I must say. You can see him here:
