Photographers in Fellini's La Dolce Vita

[Nh3]

Fellini seems to have had a really strong dislike of paparazzi or aggressive photographers in general. If you watch La Dolce Vita photographers (paparazzi) are treated like a pack of animals and their humanity is really taken away from them. throughout the movie they run around, climb things and bother people. not to mention they force subjects to pose and do things to make an interesting photograph. They're basically like pest who run around with cameras at hand.

And in one particular scene a character sarcastically says something like, "... oh you're a photographer or I should say photo reporter, an artist..." while talking to one of the photographers.

It seems that film directors generally have a negative view of photographers. Photographers are either immoral scavengers, exploitative or downright stalkers... I can't think of a single movie where the photographer is portrayed in a positive light (the movie with Nick Nolte was basically a Nikon commercial so that does not count).

 

[Micky D]

If I'm not mistaken, Fellini "invented" the paparazzi in this very film.

Wasn't the guy called Paparazzo?

 

[Nh3]

If I'm not mistaken, Fellini "invented" the paparazzi in this very film.

Wasn't the guy called Paparazzo?

Yes, that's the Italian word for it I guess.

I don't think he invented them but simply brought them under scrutiny - and I think the whole mainstream media in general.

 

[Vics]

There have been many films that featured photographers in a positive way. Blow Up, Bridges of Madison County, The other Eastwood flick in which he plays PJ on a death row story who shoots with a Leica M that sounds like a motor-driven Nikon F.
All good movies and I know there are others that I don't remember.
VS

 

[Rogrund]

Yes, that's the Italian word for it I guess.

Paparazzo is the singular form of paparazzi, in English as well in Italian! 🙂

 

[Nh3]

Blowup is not really a positive portrayal of a photographer.

The guy is a total douche, he treats women like garbage, exploits the workers by photographing them pretending to be a worker where in fact he lives in luxury. He sleeps with teenage models two at a time, and blackmails the other woman for photographs of the murder scene. He also never goes to the police and instead uses the the case as some sort of exciting adventure for himself.

Blowup is a masterpiece simply because of the ambiguous nature of its leading character and society in general at that time. Its seems everyone is bored out of their mind and they'll do anything to bring some sort of excitement to their lives.

 

[Nh3]

Paparazzo is the singular form of paparazzi, in English as well in Italian! 🙂

Well, when BBC started using paparazzo instead of paparazzi then I'll follow suit. 🙂

 

[rogue_designer]

Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn had a news/tabloid photographer as one of the three primary characters. He had his moments, good and bad, but ultimately was a "good guy" character.

 

[Micky D]

Well, when BBC started using paparazzo instead of paparazzi then I'll follow suit. 🙂

What I meant was that this name did not exist before the film.

"Paparazzo" was the surname of the leading photographer.

So that people acting like him, Fellini called them paparazzi: those who act like Mr Paparazzo.

 

[Micky D]

The other Eastwood flick in which he plays PJ on a death row story who shoots with a Leica M that sounds like a motor-driven Nikon F.

Wasn't that Roy Schneider?

I remember, you could see the guy wind-on the film and hear the motor drive.😱

 

[Rogrund]

Well, when BBC started using paparazzo instead of paparazzi then I'll follow suit. 🙂

OK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468710.stm

 

[gb hill]

What about the movie Pecker? Also the movie November is good. Sad but good. What was the movie with Ally Sheely where she played a lesbian? Oh I guess this one won't count because she cheats on her lover for another woman. I forgot! Good movie though.

 

[easyrider]

Salvador

Salvador

As long as we're listing photog movies, in Salvador the shooter becomes very political. He fakes a pic of a guerrilla leader who is dead.

It's been a while since I've seen it so I don't recall the stars.