Hello, or, perhaps, ciao! It's Andrew Johnson, your host/impresario from film101.club, inviting you to gear up for the second season of my podcast, Crash Course. After a thrilling first season exploring the enigmatic artistry of American director David Lynch, we're shifting gears with an equally intriguing subject: the Italian master Federico Fellini.
Our new season whisks us away from the United States to post-war Italy, and will follow exactly the Criterion Collection box set title The Essential Fellini. This set, with its cinematic treasures, booklet essays, and double LP-style cover art, is a celebration of physical media's unique allure. I seized it during the pandemic, craving new experiences from the safety of home, but never got around to watching any of it until now.
Over the course of our second season, we’ll dive into the evolution of Fellini’s filmmaking. Our exploration will focus on his departure from Italian neorealism to the imaginative narratives that define his later work. Through this journey, we aim to uncover how Fellini's artistry reflects his perception of humanity, and how and why he departed from his peers over the course of his legendary career.
Supporting me on this cinematic journey is none other than my dear friend and fellow cinephile, Tom Kutsch. Known to most of my listeners for his strong critiques of Al Pacino, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge about world cinema and Fellini himself. Together, we'll explore Fellini’s contributions while drawing connections to other films from the era, many of which can be streamed through The Criterion Channel.
Join us as we embark on this adventure into Fellini’s extraordinary world. The first episode of Crash Course, Season 2, is coming soon.
Until then, arrivederci!
