La Strada “The Street” (1954) – Federico Fellini

Understanding our psychological landscape through the silver screen.

It is the story that we tell about ourselves, the character that we play and the identity that we assume for ourselves in our ‘life-story’ determines what we think is possible for us.

A naïve character Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) is struggling to find meaning and purpose of her existence by constantly seeking love, approval and validation from the brutish strongman Zampanò (Antonio Quinn).

Gelsomina seeks to challenge the dominant discourse (the meaninglessness, worthlessness, and the good-for-nothing narrative) that claims to shape her identity by finding meaning of her existence in being a ‘street’ artist, a clown, a trumpet player, and a companion for Zampanò.

Using circus as a metaphor, Fellini depicts the alienation that we experience in the world that we live in and how by using a theatrical façade we hide our inner sadness and loneliness.

The film’s music, composed by Nino Rota, left me melancholic.

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