(11 of 17) ESSENTIAL FELLINI (The Criterion Collection): FELLINI SATYRICON

FELLINI SATYRICON (1969)
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0:00 Introduction
1:20 General comments on the film
26:30 Discussion on the previous Criterion release, and the supplements
46:12 Concluding remarks
Opening credits music:
Mario Bava Sleeps In a Little Later Than He Expected To by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
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Artist: chriszabriskie....
Closing credits music:
Divider by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
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Artist: chriszabriskie....
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[@billverno6170]

This is my second time viewing Satyricon. I first watched it last summer when it played on TCM. I was much more engaged this time and enjoyed the film. Somewhere in the commentary or the supplements it is suggested that the film takes place in a pre-Christian era even though the source material was created during the time of Nero. Given Fellini’s preoccupation with Christianity, I would expect to see some representation if the film was set in the time of Nero. The visual style of the movie is what struck me. Juliet of the Spirits was in color but this film was in COLOR! Also the film is in scope aspect ratio, an aspect ratio shared only with La Dolce Vita. Side notes: The actor Max Born who plays Gitòn in his only film appearance is a British actor named after his famous physicist grandfather and is a first cousin to Olivia Newton John. In the supplement Ciao Federico, there is a segment of behind the scenes during the scene where the hero discovers his impotence in the arena. Visiting the set are Roman Polanski & Sharon Tate, less than a year away from their tragedy.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you so much Bill for this. Yes, you bring up some very interesting points about the visual style and the use of colors and the aspect ratio. Cheers for this as always my friend.

[@CraigHighberger]

Enjoyed your commentary. I too love that Fellini described Satyricon as a science fiction film set in the past. One of my favorite films. This transfer is perfection. The camera work and composition of shots and the editing of this film never fails to amaze me, as well as the incredible score by Rota (and others). And yet another astonishing ending by the Maestro.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you so much and yes, a science fiction film set in the past! I love that description!

[@mlunaID]

Another great analysis and conversation. Thank you. Very well done.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you so much for the comment, marvin luna! Warmest regards.

[@Stealthborn]

I had heard many different things in regards to this film. It wasn't until I saw this film finally years later from a movie rental store (a couple of years before it went out of business) that I was left with a conundrum. I went into the film with the impression that I was prepared for what I would see. To my surprise I realized I was not prepared and at the time I hated the film and was horrified. To me it was filled with grotesque characters and situations that actually made me feel uncomfortable at the time. There weren't many films that got under my skin but this was one that did. This was years ago when I was still in my 20s when I felt this way. If I saw this film again (hopefully before too long) I'd like to see how I feel watching it in my 30s to see if anything has changed. The film's setting is marvelously done but the subject matter is contentious. But I'd still like to give this another try to see if my opinions have changed. You never know.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you so much and yes, you point to the outrageous and perhaps shocking nature of this film for a first-time viewer. However, yes, I think there is also a way that the film grows and grows with repeated views. It is such a unique kind of experience.

[@rivereuphrates8103]

Sometimes i see dislikes on a video and i just don't understand why. Who would dislike this? Great analysis man. Subscribed.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Hello river euphrates and thank you so much for this very kind comment. You are very very kind indeed. I hope there are many opportunities for us to talk here. I would love to hear about any film recommendations you might have, anytime. You are always welcome here. I hope you are well and cheers. (By the way, it is OK for me if people dislike the video and press the dislike button if they want. I think that it is a great way to express those feelings.)

[@rivereuphrates8103]

@@DaisukeBeppu of course! Its important to support channels you like, every little bit helps. I like your passion for film, it comes through in your discussion. Looking forward to the next one! Have you thought about doing a Fellini or Kubrick series? I could listen to someone talk about them for hours.

[@markrowe5992]

Satyricon is a most beautiful film.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you so much! Yes, I agree. Cheers and I hope you are well.

[@Jared_Wignall]

I haven’t seen this film before, but it sounds quite interesting. I’ll have to see if it’s in the Criterion Channel and if so I’ll give it a watch and see what I think of it. Thank you for this series Daisuke, I hope you’ll have a great day!

[@DaisukeBeppu]

thank you so much... and yes, this is SUCH AN INTERESTING FILM!!!

[@jeffgreenberg5306]

excellent discussion, thanks. i think the sci fi link is conveying something but a bit off. to me what fellini is doing here is something i am not sure anyone else has ever done. he is trying to portray what people may have been like in a culture in which people looked at animal entrails to help them make decisions and displayed penises on their walls and in front of their houses. the worldview, beliefs, values, mores of such people should seem very strange and alien to modern viewers, and watching this film is very uncomfortable and fascinating at the same time because Fellini was fully committed to trying to convey that through the things the characters say, do, and experience. this is very different than putting brad pitt or charleston heston in the garb of the period while having them act like modern americans. the film is an amazing achievement, visually stunning, but like most fellini films, not a simple fun time at the movies.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you very much for the great comment. actually I think that your comment when you say "the worldview, beliefs, values, mores of such people should seem very strange and alien to modern viewers...." is the way in which the so-called "sci-fi" link can be made. it is not a direct genre film in that way, but in the way that it could be seen to be portraying a different world is the point. So I think you and I are in agreement and in any case it is very nice company to have. Cheers and once again thank you so much for the brilliant comment.

[@Mark-fv8vt]

35:00 - interesting that Fellini claimed it wasn't about moralizing... I struggle to see what his sense of essence is, is it perhaps the full set of ironies within the character? the way they express their time by the way they live?

[@DaisukeBeppu]

thank you so much and an interesting question. I think your hypothesis is sound, namely, the possibility that the examination of the perception of irony which is tied to a sense of how history is presented (through a lens that is also undeniably modern and Felliniesque).

[@anthonytyler3692]

Daisuke, thank you for everything.

[@DaisukeBeppu]

Thank you for your kind words and I hope you have a wonderful new year.