Was Federico Fellini a Realist or Formalist/ Fabulist in His

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The Answer is Federico Fellini, the renowned Italian filmmaker, is often associated with a style that blends elements of realism with a more imaginative, dream-like quality that can be described as formalist or fabulist. In his movies of the 1950s, Fellini's work transitioned from a neorealistic approach towards a style that was distinctly his own, characterized by a blend of fantasy, baroque images, and personal memories.

In the early 1950s, Fellini's films, such as "I Vitelloni" (1953) and "La Strada" (1954), still bore the influence of Italian Neorealism, a cinematic movement that focused on the lives of ordinary people and was marked by on-location shooting, the use of non-professional actors, and a general emphasis on the harsh realities of post-war Italian society. "La Strada," for example, while showcasing Fellini's growing penchant for character-driven narratives and poetic imagery, still retained a strong sense of the real world and its struggles.

However, as the decade progressed, Fellini's style became increasingly personal and stylized. With "Nights of Cabiria" (1957), there is a noticeable shift towards a more formalist approach, where the visual style, narrative structure, and character psychology take precedence over strict adherence to realism. The film still contains elements of the real world, but it is clear that Fellini is moving towards a more subjective and imaginative form of storytelling.

By the end of the 1950s, with the release of "La Dolce Vita" (1960), Fellini had fully embraced a formalist or fabulist approach. This film marks a definitive break from neorealism and is characterized by episodic structure, extravagant set pieces, and a focus on the surreal and the fantastic aspects of life. "La Dolce Vita" is a vivid portrayal of the decadence of Rome's high society, and it is here that Fellini's signature style—blending dreams, fantasies, and a unique visual language—truly comes into its own.

In summary, while Federico Fellini began the 1950s with films that were influenced by Italian Neorealism, by the end of the decade, he had developed a more formalist or fabulist style that would define his later works. His early films contain elements of realism, but as the decade progressed, his unique vision, characterized by a blend of reality and fantasy, became the hallmark of his filmmaking.

Was Federico Fellini a Realist or Formalist/ Fabulist in His

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