8 1/2

Movie Information

In Brief: One of the undisputed classics of modern international film, 8 1/2 (its title literally meaning that it was Federico Fellini's eight-and-one-halfth film — seven full features and a couple short segments of omnibus films precede it). It is the movie in which the greatest of all Italian filmmakers moved completely away from traditional realism toward a more personal approach to cinema. Fellini's goal was to reach a greater reality by eschewing reality in the conventional sense. The degree to which that approach succeeds probably depends more on the individual viewer than the filmmaker. Rich in detail, humor and humanity, it's a deeply layered work that raises as many questions as it answers. Endlessly fascinating, brilliant even in its occasional flaws, 8 1/2 rewards first-time viewers and seasoned veterans alike with its introspection, invention and sheer joy of filmmaking. No one who genuinely cares about the art of film can afford not to see it. This excerpt was drawn from a review by Ken Hanke published on June 7, 2006.
Score:

Genre: Dramatic Fantasy
Director: Federico Fellini
Starring: Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee, Barbara Steele
Rated: NR

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present 8 1/2 on Friday, Sept. 7, at the new Flood Gallery location in Black Mountain, 850 Blue Ridge Road, Unit A-13, Black Mountain.

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About Ken Hanke
Head film critic for Mountain Xpress from December 2000 until his death in June 2016. Author of books "Ken Russell's Films," "Charlie Chan at the Movies," "A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series," "Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker."

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