Federico Fellini, his dreams and the 2009 Oscars

February 25, 9:42 AMItalian Living ExaminerSerenella Leoni

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The rich history of Italian cinema includes a long-standing relationship with the Oscars. Perhaps the greatest example of the relationship can be seen through the work of Federico Fellini. The great maestro made movie magic with surreal images, vivid colors, circus overtones and bigger-than-life sexuality. Fellini always said his movies were biographical and the expression of many of his dreams.

The images of Fellinis dreams are currently on display for the first time in the United States in “Fellini’s Book of Dreams” at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles

This exhibit, presented in collaboration with the Fondazione Federico Fellini and the Fondazione Cinema per Roma

“showcases two original volumes plus reproductions of many of the original pages of The Book of Dreams created by Federico Fellini. The notebooks are filled with unique writings and colorful drawings documenting the great Italian director’s dreams. Fellini began the notebooks in the 1960s and continued adding to them until 1990, three years before his death at the age of 73.”

Federico Fellini was nominated for 12 Oscars, both as a writer and director and won 4 in the Foreign Language Film category: “La Strada” (1956), “Nights of Cabiria” (1957), “8½” (1963) and “Amarcord” (1974).

When I lived in Italy that there was always a lot of anticipatory buzz before a Fellini film premiere. Inevitably, after any of these openings, there was much arguing over the meaning of the films. Many Italians (including the critics) loved Fellini’s films, some did not understand them and some hated them. Fellini’s films never failed to encourage heated debate.

Below is the exhibit information on the exhibit and some links. Best news: Admission is free!

Exhibition Information
When : January 24 through April 19, 2009
Where : The Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery
Public viewing hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday – Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m., Closed Mondays and Sunday, February 22.
Admission: Free

“Fellini’s Book of Dreams” at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

 IMDB information on Fellini