In a compilation film with rhythmic and eccentric visual effects, Gideon Bachmann documents the preparation and shooting of some scenes – in studio and on location – of Federico Fellini’s Satyricon. There are several cutaway scenes with interviews of the director (by others and Bachmann himself) in which Fellini reveals background information about the film’s production and creation. A little gem for understanding the genius of Fellini in action. Bachmann had originally made a 33 minute version, which included a lot of footage of Fellini at home with Giulietta Masina. The definitive version that was distributed was edited down by Bachmann – probably due to Fellini interfering and asking for it to be cut – to 17 minutes, almost half of the original. Never seen before, this recently found print has an extra 10 minutes and corresponds with Bachmann’s original cut. The complete film begins with a significant statement by Bachmann, ‘Fellini follows our work every day with great curiosity. Suspicious, purring like a cat, his eyes are on us more than ours on him. Fellin…ikon: the eyes of a cat!’

Riccardo Costantini