This pseudo-documentary on Fellini's work methods - produced after 8 1/2, and as a sort of personal essay while developing Satyricon. Here Fellini is exploiting an obvious hunger for information on how he comes up with "that wild stuff" and is exploring a sort-of post-modern idea of himself as star, but in a fictionalized set-up.
The film shows Fellini auditioning actors, directing apparently verite footage, and conversing with his producers. This is most illuminating as an exercise and practice piece for Fellini's Roma, which most clearly was about the director's view of the city, filtered through his memories (NOT the real historical Rome), and a few years later, Intervista, which is literally an "interview" done by Japanese television (and is even MORE fictional).
Fellini became very interested in the line between fiction and reality, and began putting himself into the titles (Fellini Satyricon, not Petronius, which is a clue on how to approach this film; Fellini's Roma) and then himself into the films (he makes fleeting and tantalizing appearances in Roma, to remind you this is more about Fellini's memories than about Rome).
Director's Notebook, produced for Italian T.V. and long lost and unobtainable, is now available on the Criterion DVD of 8 1/2, and is a welcome puzzle piece to Fellini's late 60's development on fictionalizing the truth, and exploring the force of personal memories and history on narrative.
The film shows Fellini auditioning actors, directing apparently verite footage, and conversing with his producers. This is most illuminating as an exercise and practice piece for Fellini's Roma, which most clearly was about the director's view of the city, filtered through his memories (NOT the real historical Rome), and a few years later, Intervista, which is literally an "interview" done by Japanese television (and is even MORE fictional).
Fellini became very interested in the line between fiction and reality, and began putting himself into the titles (Fellini Satyricon, not Petronius, which is a clue on how to approach this film; Fellini's Roma) and then himself into the films (he makes fleeting and tantalizing appearances in Roma, to remind you this is more about Fellini's memories than about Rome).
Director's Notebook, produced for Italian T.V. and long lost and unobtainable, is now available on the Criterion DVD of 8 1/2, and is a welcome puzzle piece to Fellini's late 60's development on fictionalizing the truth, and exploring the force of personal memories and history on narrative.