Born on 20 January 1920, this month marks the centenary of Italian director Federico Fellini, one of the most original creative minds of the twentieth century. To celebrate this landmark, the director’s incredible body of work is being appraised across the United Kingdom with a series of events and theatrical releases of his greatest works.
On this 100-year anniversary, CultFilms is to present two new Blu-ray releases, giving audiences the opportunity to revisit and rediscover his most influential films in sparkling restorations, 8½ (1963) and Fellini: Four Films.
8½ (1963) | Blu-ray | 3 February 2020
Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, Federico Fellini’s landmark 8½ is the story of filmmaker Guido (played by long-time Fellini collaborator Marcello Mastroianni) who, embarking on his next film, discovers he has director’s block. Hassled by his producers, his wife (Anouk Aimée) and his mistress (Sandra Milo), Guido retreats into a world of memories, dreams and fantasies – personified by a heavenly beauty (Claudia Cardinale) – to escape his tormentors.
Following its release in 1963, 8½ won two Oscars including Best Foreign Film and has stood the test of time with the BFI ranking it the twelfth best film ever. To celebrate the centenary of the master director’s birth, CultFilms is to release his most cherished work in a ravishing new 2K restoration.
Special features:
- New intimate interview with actor, and Fellini’s off-screen companion, Sandra Milo
- New interview with Lina Wertmuller, Fellini’s assistant director on 8½
- Lost Sequence documentary on the making of 8½ featuring interviews Fellini and cast and crew. The documentary examines one of the film's great mysteries, where a massive sequence was shot with all the cast, but not included in the film, and never seen again
- New, improved English subtitles
FELLINI: FOUR FILMS | Blu-ray | 10 February 2020
Four essential Fellini films in one must-have collection: 8½, La Dolce Vita, Juliet of The Spirits and I Vitelloni.
8½ (1963)
In Fellini's most acclaimed work, Marcello Mastroianni plays Fellini’s alter-ego, Guido, a director struggling with creative block who he retreats in dreamy recollections of his life and lovers. Presented here in a brand new 2K restoration. Also starring Sandra Milo, Anouk Aimee and Claudia Cardinale.
Special features:
- New intimate interview with actor, and Fellini’s off-screen companion, Sandra Milo
- New interview with Lina Wertmuller, Fellini’s assistant director on 8½
- Lost Sequence documentary on the making of 8½ featuring interviews Fellini and cast and crew. The documentary examines one of the film's great mysteries, where a massive sequence was shot with all the cast, but not included in the film, and never seen again
- New, improved English subtitles
La Dolce Vita (1960)
Fellini’s most popular masterpiece, presented here in a 4K restoration. Filled with mesmerising images such as Anita Ekber frolicking in Rome’s Trevi fountain, it is one of the most influential and truly iconic films of all time. Also starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anouk Aimee.
Special features:
- Interview with star Anita Ekberg
- New, improved English subtitles
Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
Fellini’s first colour masterpiece, presented here in full-HD finally doing justice to the director’s dazzling vision. This idiosyncratic paean to women is a breathtakingly beautiful and fantastical carnival ride. Starring: Giulietta Masina, Sandra Milo and Mario Pisu.
Special features:
- Understanding Fellini: an audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger
- Dazzling Spirits: an exclusive video essay by Italian cinema expert Prof. Guido Bonsaver
- New, improved English subtitles
I Vitelloni (1953)
Rooted in neorealism, I Vitelloni is a pivotal Fellini masterpiece, observing the mores of 1950s Italy where a clique of idlers, the ‘Vitelloni’ of the title, try to avoid adulthood. Starring: Alberto Sordi and Franco Fabrizi.
Special features:
- Becoming Fellini: an exclusive video essay by Italian cinema expert Prof. Guido Bonsaver
- New, improved English subtitles
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