Universal Press International (UP) - Recently discovered in the estate of renowned director Federico Fellini were preliminary scripts and reels of undeveloped film stock thought to be from the auteur's most widely praised work 8 1/2 (1963). Believed to be alternate takes composed for foreign markets, the undeveloped footage, labeled 8 3/4 on film canisters, turned out to be unassembled footage for an intended sequel in development in 1964.
8 1/2 focused on the trials and tribulations of a director coming to grips with his own limitations and creativity in the medium, a very personal and introspective film for Fellini. 8 3/4 seems more focused on the struggles of actors and the realities of life on a working stage set. There is no way of knowing where the director intended to go with this delightful story, but an ongoing search of other scripts in the late director's estate may turn up clues.
Although the incomplete film remains a mystery the B&W footage that has survived the ravages of time provides clues. Filmed with unidentified actors the existing footage has the unmistakeable flair of the maestro's nuanced story-telling, but little evidence remains as to why the film was never finished. Was the director pulled into another project? Did the funding evaporate? No complete script of 8 3/4 was found with the footage so it's doubtful that a reconstruction of what remains will supply all the answers.
