MovieChat Forums > 8½ (1963) Discussion > A Paradox

A Paradox

posted 12 years ago by rc_lrd
9 replies | jump to latest

A film director (Fellini), confused and oppressed by the expectations and pretentiousness of those around him, had no idea what his next film would be about. So he made a film about a film director (Guido), confused and oppressed by the expectations and pretentions of those around him, who had no idea what his next film would be about. Fellinis film and Guidos film are the same film, which is also a film about what went into the making of the film. It turned out to be one of the truly great films in the history of cinema. I love the intricate self-referential paradox of all this...

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] blackwaltz2 12 years ago

It's actually not a paradox--it's called recursion. If you love the effect you should definitely check out "Adaptation" and "Synecdoche, New York.," two of my favorite movies that do this.

[–] rc_lrd 12 years ago

Many thanks! I'll look out for those...

[–] garbagekuhl 9 years ago

we can say the same of "Birdman". (and the resource name is "metalanguage")

[–] daftspunk 12 years ago

I was definitely thinking about 'Adaptation' while watching this..
and gawdd...adaptation was much better!!

[–] timothy_fairchild 12 years ago

Yes, the word paradox is often misused. Without a contradiction, real or apparent, there is no paradox.

This movie may impress some cafe philosophers, easily gulled by words like "avant guard," but it is a poor substitute for clear thinking and definite assertion, a way to say nothing in particular in a pretentious, vague manner. That is not impressive or important to me. I think this movie is just pompous naval gazing, a shallow, self-indulgent philosophy putting on airs.

[–] guccipix 9 years ago

Seven Psychopaths may also fit

http://letterboxd.com/guccipix/list/my-top-100-favorite-films/

[–] Maniac_In_Black 8 years ago

Great movie.

[–] 8 years ago

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