It Still is The Sweet Life
November 15, 2010 5:01 PM Subscribe
I'm more excited by the upcoming 50 1/2 anniversary.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:13 PM on November 15, 2010
posted by cjorgensen at 5:13 PM on November 15, 2010
Arguably Australia's most well respected film reviewer pissed on his shoes.
My only encounter with Federico Fellini occurred in a toilet. This was in 1966, when he was one of the most celebrated and admired film directors in the world. I was 26 years old and I had recently directed my first Sydney Film Festival.
[...]
There I was at last, standing up against the porcelain, feeling a sense of relief. A man was standing next to me, a big man who looked vaguely familiar. I stole a glance at him. Could it be? It was. Urinating next to me was none other than Federico Fellini. I can only excuse what happened next because of the excitement of the occasion, the champagne and my youthful naivete. I turned towards the great man. "Mr. Fellini," I began. And I peed all over his shoes. One result of this brief, unfortunate, encounter was that I learnt a new Italian word: "Stronzo!" It means "Asshole." It was well deserved.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:14 PM on November 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
My only encounter with Federico Fellini occurred in a toilet. This was in 1966, when he was one of the most celebrated and admired film directors in the world. I was 26 years old and I had recently directed my first Sydney Film Festival.
[...]
There I was at last, standing up against the porcelain, feeling a sense of relief. A man was standing next to me, a big man who looked vaguely familiar. I stole a glance at him. Could it be? It was. Urinating next to me was none other than Federico Fellini. I can only excuse what happened next because of the excitement of the occasion, the champagne and my youthful naivete. I turned towards the great man. "Mr. Fellini," I began. And I peed all over his shoes. One result of this brief, unfortunate, encounter was that I learnt a new Italian word: "Stronzo!" It means "Asshole." It was well deserved.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:14 PM on November 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
I saw La Dolce Vita at a college presentation, where the professor explained that the big dead fish symbolized loss of faith. For weeks afterward, that was my mantra. "The big dead fish symbolizes loss of faith. The big dead fish symbolizes loss of faith..."
posted by Cookiebastard at 5:21 PM on November 15, 2010
posted by Cookiebastard at 5:21 PM on November 15, 2010
Before I knew the pleasures of Fellini I watched this simply for the Nico cameo. I have been hooked ever since, much like Nico.
posted by munchingzombie at 5:34 PM on November 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by munchingzombie at 5:34 PM on November 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
We don't say, 'oh maestro, how beautiful is this thing you are creating!' We think this, but we don't say this.
Marcello Mastroianni is the epitome of cool. Ohh, Marcello.
posted by Mael Oui at 8:51 PM on November 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Marcello Mastroianni is the epitome of cool. Ohh, Marcello.
posted by Mael Oui at 8:51 PM on November 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Coincidentally, I watched this for the second time a few weeks ago. I think La Dolce Vita will be one of those rare pictures that I will revisit throughout my life. It already meant something different to me on the second viewing. Some of the ideas in the movie cut into me a bit deeper this time around. Maybe Fellini succeeded in making a kind of personal barometer for how people feel at different points in their life? I don't know – I'm till trying to figure out. Perhaps I'll wrap my mind around it more during the next viewing.
And there isn't a man alive who wouldn't want a beautiful blond singing their name from the Trevi Fountain after midnight. I will ALWAYS love that scene.
posted by quadog at 11:31 PM on November 15, 2010
And there isn't a man alive who wouldn't want a beautiful blond singing their name from the Trevi Fountain after midnight. I will ALWAYS love that scene.
posted by quadog at 11:31 PM on November 15, 2010
Marcello Mastroianni is the epitome of cool.
Yes, but he only gets laid once in the entire movie – which spans years. Great irony there.
posted by quadog at 11:32 PM on November 15, 2010
Yes, but he only gets laid once in the entire movie – which spans years. Great irony there.
posted by quadog at 11:32 PM on November 15, 2010
Ohh, Marcello.
Marcello always looked like he wasn't sure what was going on. She always held all the cards.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:43 AM on November 16, 2010
Marcello always looked like he wasn't sure what was going on. She always held all the cards.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:43 AM on November 16, 2010
I don't get people that don't get Fellini. His movies (this one in particular and 8 1/2) make me feel like I'm not alone in the world; I'm not the only one who struggles with temptation and ambition and sacrafice and loneliness.
posted by j03 at 4:20 AM on November 16, 2010
posted by j03 at 4:20 AM on November 16, 2010
La Dolce Vita is great and all but I still see it as the commercially successful, popular movie that allowed Fellini to make what is truly his greatest film and a candidate for the greatest film of all time - 8 1/2.
posted by vacapinta at 6:09 AM on November 16, 2010
posted by vacapinta at 6:09 AM on November 16, 2010
My wife and I still like to call out 'Marcello' whenever we encounter anything vaguely Italian.
posted by daHIFI at 10:23 AM on November 16, 2010
posted by daHIFI at 10:23 AM on November 16, 2010
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