Christoph Waltz Says He Saw This 97%-Rated "Unique" Surreal Drama "20, 30 Times"
This film is about the crisis of cinema, the torments of an artist who has lost his inspiration, and how life's worries hinder creators.
Christoph Waltz is an actor whose name will forever be linked to one of the most memorable scenes in cinematic history. We're talking, of course, about the opening scene of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, in which Waltz's twenty-minute interrogation was a master class in acting.
He won his first Oscar for this role and as an actor who embodies transformation, Waltz has a keen sense of which movies deserve the status of timeless classics.
Federico Fellini's '8½' Is a "True Classic", According to Christoph Waltz
In one of the interviews, he mentioned a black-and-white Italian drama that he has watched dozens of times, and it is a classic every movie buff should see – 8½. Waltz said:
“That movie I've seen, I don't know, 20, 30 times. The moment that you watch the movie, it makes the movie unique, even though it is recorded, and what is being projected is the same movie with the same thing every time.
But you are not the same person, so you see a different movie every time, and that's what makes a true classic.”
What Is '8½' About?
The story centers on director Guido Anselmi, played by Marcello Mastroianni. His previous movie was a resounding success. The producers have spent millions on sets, signed numerous actors, and the screenwriter is ready to begin work.
However, there's one problem: Guido has no idea what his next film will be about. He is suffering from creative block and disillusionment with life and love and can't seem to piece his disparate ideas together into a coherent whole.
8½ is a stunning blend of reality and Guido's stream of consciousness: we experience his childhood memories, surreal visions, erotic fantasies, and sudden epiphanies.
'8½' Had an Immeasurable Impact on World Cinema
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Federico Fellini's 8½ is a striking example of comic surrealism, playing on the clash between boundless fantasy and harsh reality. The director is unafraid to appear vulnerable, essentially, he exposes his soul on screen, revealing his creative struggles to the audience.
For Fellini, the film was a triumph and a kind of cure – life and its turmoil hinder creators, but it is precisely this crisis that becomes a phenomenon worthy of a genius' lens.
This Oscar-winning movie influenced the work of many directors, including François Truffaut, Woody Allen, Bob Fosse, and Arthur Penn – they all professed their love for Fellini's work.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of '8½'?
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8½ has 97% from critics and 91% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.0/10.
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On Letterboxd, 8½ scored 4.3/5.0.
Where to Watch '8½'?
8½ is available to stream on The Criterion Channel and HBO Max.
