In Federico Fellini's 1960 classic, the viewer gets a good sense for Fellini's position on particular groups of people, through the portrayal of his characters. The papparazzi are painted in a rather unflattering light, as are religious zealots and American actors. Meanwhile the protagonist, who sports a halo over his head, is an opportunistic philanderer named Marcello.

Many would say that the best stories are true stories. Therefore, some of the greatest films have been autobiographical in nature. 8 1/2 is one of these films, and is the brainchild of this month's Director Spotlight, Federico Fellini. It follows an Italian film director who must deal with his various romantic entanglements while trying to decide on his next picture. Fellini himself was having director's block before he developed this script; the title is because he had already directed six full-length films and three shorter ones (1/2 each), adding up to 7 1/2 before this one. It was clear from the get-go that this is a passion project unlike any of his others, and I dare anyone not to become thoroughly engrossed.

I watched this film with my father, knowing that this would be in his wheelhouse, being that he is a foreign film fanatic. Upon finishing the film my father said, "Of all the Fellini films I've seen, this one had the least amount of symbolism." That could be entirely true, being that this is my first Fellini, but the film is certainly not without symbolism.