Film Listology: #81 - 8 1/2

Special Topics in Media

Winding down the categorical "80s" in our "Film Listology" season of Special Topics in Media, hosts Garret Castleberry and Scott McMurry demonstrate intellectual strengths but maybe also foreign film limitations in their evaluation of the Federico Fellini mid-life masterpiece, 8 1/2 (1963). A bold expression of cinematic self-reflection situated alongside running commentary concerning artistic process amidst Catholic guilt, Fellini fictionalizes his own artistic plight in ways that--while surrealist in certain fantasy sequences--portend distinct real-world fantasies that occupy mental real estate within the heralded director's mind. The dialogic duo consider the film's themes and place them in conversation with whether Fellini's unique storytelling approach translates to a sustained cultural significance factor.
Hosts: Garret Castleberry, Scott McMurry
Producers: Garret Castleberry, Will McMurry (Audio Engineer), Alli Garner (Cover Art), Austin Foster (Music)
Recommended readings paired with our Film Listology season:
Rick Altman. Film/Genre. British Film Institute, 1999.
Jim Collins, Ada Preacher Collins, Hilary Radner (Eds.). Film Theory Goes to the Movies, 1st Edition. New York: Routledge, 1992.
Ways to Connect with us online:
Follow and engage with Special Topics in Media on Twitter at @podcast_topics.
"Like" to follow our Special Topics in Media Page on Facebook (search Special Topics in Media).
Join the Special Topics in Media Facebook Group and share your reviews of the film or this episode.
Subscribe to Dr. Castleberry's academic YouTube Channel.
Garret's academic website is available at https://garretcastleberry.academia.edu/.