Objective

• Students will be introduced to the term Fellini-esque. 

• Students will first be introduced to Fellini’s relationship with Catholicism, and its presence in his films.

• Students will be introduced to Fellini’s relationship to the Circus in his life and films. 

• Students will be introduced to dreams in Fellini's films and his relationship to Carl Jung. 

Lesson

1. Introducing Fellini-esque - 3 min

   1. Play clip from fellini film that encapsulates any Fellini film consistencies 

   2. Q: what are your first impressions of this clip?

   3. Tell them that the clip truly does encapsulate Fellini themes

2. Fellini-Esque?: (Sources: Federico Fellini) - 6 min

   1. Show them Fountain scene from La Dolce Vita (1960)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_hfZoe9FHE

1. What do you make of this clip?

   1. Explain how this is Fellini-esque

1. Introducing consistent themes of Fellini’s films that will tell you if you are watching a Fellini film: Catholicism, The Circus, and Memories. (Sources: Mäder 635). - 8 min

 Catholicism: 

1. Show them the beginning of La Dolce Vita (1960), give them background info on what the film is about, and the hold on Italy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aux6gUaTlPI - 3 min

1. Q: What do you think the Jesus statue represents? (big question) - 4 min maybe

2. Tell them that Fellini almost got excommunicated for this film, and other info on the impact of the film.

3. Discuss the importance of Catholicism in Italy, use Fellini’s quote,

“It’s difficult biologically and geographically not to be a Catholic in Italy. It’s like a creature born beneath the sea – how can it not be a fish? For one born in Italy, it’s difficult not to breathe, from childhood onward, this catholic atmosphere. One who comes from Italian parents passes a childhood in Italy, enters the church as baby, makes his Communion, witnesses Catholic funerals – how can he not be a Catholic? Still, I have a great admiration for those who declare themselves detached laity – but I don’t see how this can happen in Italy (Cardullo 2006)’” (Mäder 635).

1. Q: What do you guys make of that quote? 

2. Explain Fellini’s Interesting relationship with the Catholic church in his life, and in his films

3. Tell them that Fellini almost got excommunicated for this film, and other info on the impact of the film.

   1. Q: What do you think this says about the Vatican?

4. Give other examples of Catholicism in Fellini films: show photos for each

   1. Nights Of Cabiria (1957)

   2. 81/2 (1963)

   3. Juliet Of the Spirit (1965)

   4. Roma (1970)

   5. Amarcord (1973)

1. Introducing consistent themes of Fellini’s films that will tell you if you are watching a Fellini film: Catholicism, The Circus, and Memories. (Sources: Manson). - 4-5 min

The Circus:

 

i) Show them this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC_UjMsYmJc - 2 min

Discuss the relationship between Fellini and The Circus.

ii) Tell them about the story of How Fellini, according to his biography, left his family to join a small circus for a little while, possibly not true. 

iii) Fellini films and the Circus: 

“The circus gives viewers a glimpse into Fellini’s mind and moviemaking, showing what inspired him and why circus arts, acrobats, clowns – and the whimsical fantasy and extravagance surrounding the circus – were, in Fellini’s view, a perfect metaphor for life itself with all its mysteries and magic as well as the decadence of Italian society in the late 1950’s with its pompous yet clownish characters” (Manson).

 

iv) Give examples of The Circus in Fellini films

La Strada (1956)

8 ½ (1963)

Julieta Of The Spirit (1965)

I Clowns (1970)