This week we bring you a double feature from two of cinema’s
most influential filmmakers: Luis Buñuel and Federico Fellini. Both of these
filmmakers are known for using fantasy and surrealism as a vessel for social
commentary. Fellini, using his own dreams and life experiences, had a self-referential
approach, while Buñuel directed his commentary outward towards the Catholic
Church and class systems. Although these auteurs are stylistically very
different, both provide audiences with a world that blurs the lines between dreams
and reality, giving viewers a compelling cinematic experience.
Belle de Jour (1967) – Dir Luis Buñuel
One of the surrealist’s most famous films, Belle de Jour is the story of unhappy housewife
who turns to prostitution to cure her frigidity. Starring Catherine Deneuve as Séverine
Serizy, the spouse of a wealthy surgeon, the film provides criticism of the bourgeoisie’s
relentless dissatisfaction with their privilege lives. Available
on Amazon Prime Video
Nights of Cabiria (1957) - Dir
Federico Fellini
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Nights of Cabiria is the whimsical and tragic story of a prostitute’s unfruitful search for love. Winning the Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival, Giulietta Masina’s performance carries viewers through Cabiria’s outlandish experiences as a ‘working girl’ with her signature expressionistic acting, providing audiences with the feeling that being a prostitute is in some ways like being in the circus. Available on Prime Video
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Nights of Cabiria is the whimsical and tragic story of a prostitute’s unfruitful search for love. Winning the Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival, Giulietta Masina’s performance carries viewers through Cabiria’s outlandish experiences as a ‘working girl’ with her signature expressionistic acting, providing audiences with the feeling that being a prostitute is in some ways like being in the circus. Available on Prime Video
-Dawn Stronski