Fellini: I'm a Born Liar

Fellini: I'm a Born Liar is a unique documentary film released in 2002 on the life and work of one of Italy's most talented filmmakers, Federico Fellini. The movie has been directed by Damian Pettigrew and is a combination of archive footage, interviews, and recreations of scenes from Fellini's movies. The film also has Roberto Benigni, a popular Italian actor, as a narrator who guides the audience through the life and work of Fellini.

The movie starts with Fellini's childhood in Rimini, Italy, a small town on the Adriatic coast. It showcases how he was fascinated with circus clowns and the traveling shows that would come to Rimini. Fellini's family life was not easy, and he was often overshadowed by his older brother who was gifted academically. In the documentary, Fellini's nephew, who is named after him, shares his childhood memories of spending time with his famous uncle.

As a young man, Fellini moved to Rome to become a journalist but soon switched to screenwriting. He collaborated with the neorealist filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and worked on several of his early films. In the documentary, Fellini's long-time assistant, Luigi "Titta" Benzi, shares anecdotes about the early years of Fellini's career in the Italian film industry.

Fellini's life changed when he directed his breakout film, La Strada. It starred his wife, Giulietta Masina, and his favorite actor, Anthony Quinn. The film was a commercial and critical success and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1956. As the documentary progresses, we hear from both Masina and Quinn as they discuss their experiences of working with Fellini.

The documentary also delves into the making of some of Fellini's other famous films, such as La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, and Amarcord. It provides an insightful look into Fellini's creative process, his influences, and the themes that often appeared in his movies, such as nostalgia, dreams, and the circus.

The film feels like a love letter to Fellini, with a mix of interviews with his collaborators, disciples, and critics, creating a complete picture of the man and his work. The documentary also explores the controversies that fell on some of Fellini's most iconic works. For instance, La Dolce Vita was considered blasphemous by the Vatican and faced strict censorship from the Italian government before its release.

The final part of the documentary has footage from Fellini's funeral where we see an outpouring of grief from his fans and colleagues. His family and friends share their final thoughts on the legendary filmmaker.

Overall, Fellini: I'm a Born Liar is an excellent tribute to Federico Fellini, touching on his professional and personal life. It's a must-watch for fans of Fellini's films and anyone interested in learning more about the cinematic history of Italy. The documentary manages to capture the essence of the man behind the iconic films, his passions, and his struggles, in the most intimate manner possible. It provides a glimpse into a genius, who defied conventions to create cinematic magic that continues to inspire and entertain us.