Federico Fellini and the debate in Italian feminist magazines (1973–80)

Abstract

Many articles focus on the feminine ‘Fellinian’ models and stereotypes, on his sexist imaginary and, in wider terms, on the relationship between Fellini and women in general, but very few analyses have actually investigated the real effects that these feminist critics had in shaping Federico Fellini’s public image. Starting from the debate that surrounds his films La città delle donne (City of Women) (1980), Amarcord (1973) and Il Casanova di Federico Fellini (Fellini’s Casanova) (1976), this article analyses the bonds between Fellini and the feminist movement in the 1970s, and it focuses on the role played by feminist magazines in the director’s public image construction. The problematic relationship between Fellini and the feminist movement and ideologies will be analysed especially through a review of feminist magazines such as Quotidiano donna and Effe. Daily newspapers Il Giorno, Corriere della Sera and Paese Sera will also be taken into account in order to consider a wider field of investigation.