8 1/2 Explained
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
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This episode is “8 1/2 Explained”, where I look at one of the best films of all time, Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2” (1963). There is sort of an accepted idea of what this film is about, of course; even Fellini himself said it was a comedy. But in the interest of artistic interpretation, I had a funny little theory pop into my head while I was watching it and I thought: why not share it with all of Earth?
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![#309 GRAZIE MAESTRO: Federico Fellini - L'arte salva l'anima: 8 1/2 [VOLUME 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5VjSF0OBqsc/mqdefault.jpg)
Nobody has done a 8 1/2 recap 😂😂😂
Don't forget about the scene when women get rebellious against Guido and how he manages to suppress the rebellion. That scene makes sense from the perspective of power.
Great example, thank you! I had forgotten all about that but you’re so right it totally makes sense from the perspective of power (also a great way to phrase it)
you have no imagination. it’s an absurd farce. but all you can see is Leftist bullshit.
It's ironic that even though the film inside the film gets cancelled, we are watching the completed film, so it was made. There's no escaping fate it seems. Even the scene with him ending his life was just a dream, a wish for escape that never comes. We keep going on even when we do not want to.
I took the day off to release some stress from role as a production manager at my job. I was lost in my thoughts, thinking about what lead me here, and then I saw this film mentioned on Wikipedia, and then a link to the full film on some Russian website. Glad I did.
Nice video!
Your interpretation makes sense, but sounds inconsistent with Fellini's focus on individual and self. He was fascinated with Jung and it is completely obvious in this film, which doesn't go with this "empire hypothesis"...
10:30 love this thought process. and the dialog at 11:20 matches so well
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching and your comment and thoughts. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Guido is Donald Trump? Musk could be the French Writer? I Thought Donald Trump was Aguirre in Aguirre or the Wrath of God of Werner Herzog
Thank-you for sharing your personal interpretation. It works. Fellini might have alluded to this -he might not have -but its there now.
The film is alive and interacting with people who are living at the potential downfall of an empire, so that is going to be relevant.
The opening scene is one of best part to me. The bath house is worth mention as well.....
Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it. Yes, who knows for sure but it’s there now and definitely seems relevant. And yes that opening scene, what a moment!8
I think your "America" interpretation would be very different if you knew something about foreign opinions about America in the 1960s. America was resented and envied simultaneously. America was perceived as promoter of cultural imperialism, even though plenty of people enjoyed that. Europeans wanted to regain their own culture (lost in World War II) but America was vastly overpowering them.
As far as the film in general: I'm one of those who (along with others) find most convincing that the opening of the film represents a nervous breakdown. What happens thereafter is that Guido reviews all the episodes of his life (as one does when life draws to its conclusion), and that all these converge when Guido chooses to end his life - seeing a parade of all the people in his life, ending as it had begun, with Guido as a little boy marching off into darkness.
Interesting, thank you for sharing!
And now in 2025 the whole world hates America. Can't blame any of them. The whole world's gone mad and sliding to the far far right, which means more war is coming
My kooky theory is that 8 1/2 refers to the age the director discovered women (with several scenes actually devoted to this), not his number of films.
I love that!! Very interesting. I’ll need to rewatch this and look for that
Interesting. I have a totally different perspective on those opening images, but that's that's beauty of 8 1/2 as a subjective art piece
Yes I totally agree. It’s almost like any great work of art, it is open to many different (and interesting) interpretations. If you’re interested in sharing, I’d love to hear your perspective of those opening images!
Horrible shoes...!!!! with rhe rope... 😝😜😝🐞
I wonder if Christopher Nolan was inspired by the opening scene in 8 1/2 for Inception, because not unlike Fellini’s opening dream scene, subconscious-mind/dream-characters in Inception begin to stare at you when fear and anxiety begin to arise.
Ohhh my I have to go rewatch Inception now! Very exciting thank you for sharing!!
I never thought about those two movies but now you’ve got me thinking about both of them…. Hmm yes. Thanks for your thoughts
I'm only here because I was in film making college for 3 yrs 70 to 73 and it seems a number of us emulated him.
When I saw a junior student do a dolly shot of himself with a scarf around his neck, I was so taken by the ease of being a Fellini.
Thanks for sharing! Studying film making sounds so awesome. And if anyone is gonna emulate somebody, Fellini is a pretty good choice 😊
This is not a movie, it"s an artwork
I could not agree more! It’s like a video art installation in a museum.
To understand this film, you must believe in time travel.
Interesting!! I’d love to hear more about this! I mean, sure I could search for it, and I will. But I like going old school and hearing it from other ppl
Typical of an american thinking that the movie is about america lol
How do you know I’m an American? Also, isn’t it possible that America is just the symbol of an empire? While I think what I think, it’s also possible that it’s meant in general about power and decline
I could see why terry gilliam loves this film, knowing his past relationships with production companies.
One of my all time favorite movies
Me too! It’s such a classic! Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing! I also have an exclusive movie review pod called ArtHouse Radio, if you’re interested!
Fun! I had a good time running with your analysis. America as a metaphor for a nation as it “achieves excellence” and then has everything measured/ evaluated against that one incredible moment in time works for me. It is clear that on one level we are seeing an depiction of the director who has produced a work of sublime art and earth shattering impact and then turns to ask: now what? But on another level it could easily deal with anyone achieving the apex.
Yes!! And thanks for watching! And I am very glad you had a good time with it!
There does seem to be a meditation on hierarchy in the film, and about the consequences of floundering in a leadership position, which could be linked to empire.
America is mentioned a large amount of times in the movie, and the spaceship as well, including its dismantling, lends to your view of empire.
I think foreign films always reference America to play to the American desire to be recognised though lol
That’s very interesting! It makes sense too. I appreciate your comments, thanks for sharing. Most of the time I think my idea of films is nowhere near what the filmmaker intended. I just think it’s fun and acceptable to have our own theories. But I think you make a good point about foreign films referencing America, especially at the time this film was made I bet
Nothing gonna stop us now - Starship
That is the name of the song.
My favorite line is: and if this world runs out of lovers, we’ll still have each other.
Really enjoyed the thoughts. Will get back to you about your idea of the film being, in one sense, metaphorical for the predicament of an empire - such as the US (in 1963). Loved listening while you walked through the park. That was almost as good as your commentary! Really so good to see the outdoors and a nice park in the background rather than somebody's library. Also appreciated the warm thoughts at the end, your sign-off. First time I've seen anything from your channel. Will watch more. Love from Superior, AZ.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. I’ve had a lot of people tell me they enjoy the way it’s shot, too so it’s good to see that it connects with others. I’m glad you enjoyed my thoughts and I’m interested in hearing your ideas about this film being a metaphorical predicament for an empire!
@@PopCultureFridays Well, that is an idea. I.m not particularly knowledgable about cinema, but have degrees and have studied, thought, meditated, and written a bit on symbols and dreams. And love quality films. (Not always GOOD quality. Usually. Recent thumbs up: The Lady From Shanghai, and the satire American Dreamz.). It's been a long time since I've seen 8 1/2, and after re-viewing and processing will share some thoughts, for what they're worth, on your insights. Really did enjoy hearing your own personal reaction to the film and your sense of its larger meaning, and your modesty. And your broadcasting from a park! Best regards.
I appreciate your kind words! Well I don’t always watch quality films either ha ha. I try to but sometimes life wants you to watch some thing fun or more indulgent or more fitting with whatever mood strikes you. I will definitely check out that film you recently thumbs-upped!
I see the ending of the film saying that the happy individual accepts and fits into a creative role in society
Beautiful! Love it!
Interesting talk! I agree that America is a theme in 8 1/2, as it is for I think all European directors at the time. The influence of Hollywood was something that had to be confronted in some way or another. An example in this film is Guido's original intention to make a science-fiction film. It always seem so odd to me, and not very 'Felliniesque", and he gradually drops the idea. To me, the 'meaning' of this film becomes clear at the end where everyone in Guido's life is present, including those who have passed on---but the past remains part of the present. The film becomes a vast celebration of just being someone's life: his wife, his mistress, friends, professional associates, all the contradictions and conflicts accepted. What we see at the end is not the eventual film Guido will make, but the way 8 1/2 as a contemplation on someone's life has found to accept itself.
i like the kooky theory
Hey thanks!!! I appreciate that!! Apologies for the late reply. Nothing like a kooky theory on UA-cam haha. Happy holidays!
New subscriber here, the 8 1/2 review caught me
Hey hey thank you! I’m so happy you subscribed, thanks for connecting! I look forward to seeing you around and connecting with you. Glad you dug the review… what a movie!
Being John Malkovich directed by Spike Jones alumni of Americo-Italian Sofia Coppola. John Malkovich floor 7+1⁄2 of the Mertin Flemmer building. 8 /12 director filming what is in humans head, camera is inside Marcello Mastroianni head. And philosophical woman and men have 8 endocrine glands or eastern medicine rainbow 7 chakras, and movie about space travel going beyond 8 endocrine + 1/2go beyond 8 endocrine glands than God intended. Jean Baudrillard said hyperrealism space travel is new exploration explorer Livingston in Africa named after Kings evert mountain peak or waterfall (Victoria Falls). People have no place to wonder space the last non explored place on Earth is space. And USA USSR space race for exploration.
The modern system of lunar nomenclature was introduced in 1651 by Riccioli.[1] Riccioli's map of the Moon was drawn by Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who has a crater named after him.
Interesting!
Yeah everything is about America ... typical American
Everything isn’t about America. But that doesn’t mean nothing can be, either.
i suspect the director was struggling with singularity vs pluralism- is there one truth, one God, One Catholic Church- or does the particular get to decide what the universal is.
That’s interesting thank you. Yes, exactly, with the one truth thought. Maybe we’re each our own universe and the struggle we have to understand the universe is because we’re trying to explain all the universes with the story of just one
@@PopCultureFridays that would be a contradiction- all particulars by their very nature come from the whole- the Bishop in the film was correct “there is no Salvation Outside of the Catholic Church”
I don't think your theory is kooky at all. In fact, it makes the movie more interesting for me.
Hey thanks! I appreciate that a lot. Every time I rewatch the movie I always find something new and interesting about it cuz it’s such a great piece of art. But for some reason my theory simply reminds me of what I talk about in this video. Glad it enhances the movie in some way tho, that’s a great compliment and I appreciate it.
8 1/2 makes Plan 9 from Outer Space look like Ben Hur. The best movie ever! Maybe the worst movie ever. Most people would say the best movie ever made is Casablanca, after that Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Then perhaps Citizen Kane, Forbidden Planet or The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951).
Thank you for this best comment ever! Maybe the worst comment ever. Jokes! Trying to mimic what.. you.. write ANYWAY, I must put Plan 9 on my watch list now! Never been a big fan of Citizen Kane (“omg he SAID IT,” the class screamed in unison!). But I do love Casablanca. As for the other movies you mention, some I’ve seen but I need to catch up to your impressive movie references and watch more films!!! Thanks!!
I think it's just about pressure / and paranoia...
Definitely could be onto something! Who knows! That’s the thing about great art, lots of different possibilities
Love this film!
Me too! Such a classic
Yes, the movie comes over as a powerful, symbolic Fellini dream-movie that is better admired than enjoyed.
Every second of the movie is intensely compelling for all the reasons that people have for loving Fellini's style, but eventually symbolism and dream-images can leave one "cold" when symbols and dream-images do not add up to plot that moves.
Yes, every second of the film is unforgettable when seen in isolation, but one goes to movies for a coordinated plot that has some kind of movement and with this movie, it is dramatically absent.
8 1/2 is a magnificent celebration of the Fellini-magic that is unique in film history, but after one hour, symbols and Fellini-magic need to bolster a plot sequence that goes "somewhere."
People have an inborn need for one plus one equal two, even in the movies they see.
Yes, as a procession of magnificent Fellini-esque symbolism and images, 8 1/2 deserves the highest praise.
However, I find that the movie is static, confusingly lacking in direction, and while the vision is unprecedented as is true of all the movies Fellini created, the movie's main character: Marcello is caught
in a "whirlpool" and a meaningful plot development goes nowhere.
As an example: the wife of the director practically walks out on the irascible Marcello and suddenly at the end she suddenly appears smiling to walk the grand procession at the end. What???
I appreciate all these thoughts! I can see that, feeling left cold when symbols and dream images do not add up to a plot that moves. I think that’s one of the beautiful things about film is that people can take very very different things from them. For example, I love the film Interstellar so much and yet it wasn’t even nominated as a best picture. Now for me I felt like it was potentially one of the best films that year, maybe boyhood, as well.
I can see what you’re saying about this film, though. Personally I kind of like artworks there are, in some ways, directionless. I think I think that because I kind of like the idea of things not feeling like they have to move towards some thing in order to satisfy me. In other words, I like the idea of art just existing and not feeling like it has to achieve a destination (that’s probably a very niche way to look at it tho).
Movies can definitely be different though because it can be confusing if there isn’t a goal. For example, the first time I ever saw a guy Madden film, I was kind of lost. But after a while I just started to get into those rhythms and patterns. I don’t know if those drums go anywhere, either, but I enjoyed them :)
Not that you meant the word “goal”. For some reason I can’t maneuver around editing comments, I’m using UA-cam studio. It’s weird.
Not top 10. Top 1, at least on my list. It has nothing to do with "empires." If anything, the film is intimately personal, not political. But hey, theory away. It's interesting.
Thank you for sharing! I like what you’re saying! One of the things I love about great art is that it often welcomes lots of different interpretations and interesting perspectives. I’m not saying that mine is interesting I just mean that it invites different theories. To me that’s one of the best things about great film/great art. I think if there was one interpretation of great work of art that was accepted by everyone, it would be much less interesting.
Does it also point to anything that in his fantasy there’s a Hawaiian girl who’s in the film nowhere else
I don’t even remember that! Great catch! Thanks for pointing that out, wow! Those Hawaiian girls.. they’ll get ya (or get by ya!)!
Please consider subscribing btw! Your attention to detail is appreciated and very welcome for potential future interactions! We need your Hawaiian girl spotting talents!
Lol yankees always think everything is about them
I didn’t put out some propaganda piece haha. If whatever country you’re from were the superpower and I thought there were signs pointing to your country, I would’ve said that. But it’s not. So I didn’t. And it’s not about people being Yankees or not being Yankees. People are just people. That’s it.
I recommend u "Omicron", from the same year
You guys are not seeing the truth here.
Do tell! I’m genuinely interested
No tanto analisis y suba la pelicula.
No hablo muy bien!
After 2 minutes, I´ve had enough. I´ve never liked fictitious film/books in which the creator involved him or herself. it´s too
ego-based. I want the creator to be apart from the work of art. When it becomes self-indulgent/incestuous, I know the
creator has run out of ideas.
I totally respect that. If you’ve ever read works by John Cage he talks about art and music and how it means only itself, not the meanings we project onto it (in this case perhaps, the creator themselves). To me, I’m only concerned with the story and whether it’s capturing my attention or it has an interesting perspective. If it’s about the creator, fine. If that ends up being what every film/book is about, then yes, I probably would have enough too. Rhetorically speaking.. I wonder how ‘-apart’ a creator can be from their work?
Thanks for sharing!
This guy will hate Bardo
Can you actually and eventually get to the point about what it is you are wanting us to listen to for 15 minutes ! Yes we do understand the who & what ever about Fellini being some what confused at the time of making the film. The only thing I have been able to make out of what this 15min diatribe seems to say is that you are even more confused. " 8 1/2 Explained " is definitely NOT the title that should be used for this load of total and absolute load of krok ! ( and yes I have taken into consideration the fact that you are American ). . You close by saying that no one has any idea of what is going on with COVID - well maybe but one thing is for sure you do not have the slightest iinkling of an idea of what 8 & 1/2 is about.
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It’s overrated
Its underrated
Underrated for sure
Let's see your films
You don’t explain art.
Perhaps interpret is a better word to use than explain, yes.