Fellini: I'm a Born Liar

R

Released Apr 2, 2003

1 hr. 45 min.

Documentary

List

73%

40 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

This in-depth documentary focuses on revered Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. In addition to presenting clips from many of Fellini's acclaimed movies, the film features extensive interview footage with the lively and eccentric director, including revelatory conversations recorded in the years before he died. The production also includes interviews with actors who worked with the infamously moody auteur, most notably Roberto Benigni and Donald Sutherland.

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Audience Member

This movie is based on an interview with Fellini in which 200 questions were asked. Fellini responded with his "legend" more than actual, honest truth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This documentary is not for the uninitiated Fellini viewer. If you want to understand the ultimate puppet-master, it's best to view his films for they're all autobiographical. Rather, this film shares Fellini's insights on the artistic impulse and creative process: availability; openness to experience; spontaneity; structure; memory; narration; verisimilitude. The Maestro compares film making to painting because of the interplay of color and light. Donald Sutherland aptly summarizes his greulling directorial process: He (Fellini) has a three dimensional picture already in his head that he is trying to recreate within two dimensions. The division between art and reality is wonderfully blurred. His repeated self-reference to inherent dishonesty renders him truthful!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

There is some interesting stuff here, but only if you're familiar with Fellini. In fact, you could probably learn more about him by actually watching his films.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

alejandro t

Not a very complete documentary about fellini but still a very good way of showing his way of working.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fellini may be a "genius" in a lot of peoples' eyes, but this documentary is as boring and monotone as hell.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

awesome....if you like fellini flicks and don't mind subtitles.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

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Chris Vognar

Dallas Morning News

Fellini came close to painting his thoughts directly onto the screen. Born Liar honors this approach by putting lyricism ahead of clarity. You get the feeling that the maestro would appreciate the results.

Rated: B+

Jul 24, 2003

Full Review

Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

Shockingly unilluminating, even dull.

Rated: 1.5/5

Jul 20, 2003

Full Review

Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Pettigrew's movie functions nicely as a posthumous couch trip, with Fellini explaining the soulful puppetry of his art without pulling the curtain up far enough to let you catch him pulling the strings.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 11, 2003

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 4/5

Apr 9, 2008

Full Review

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

Rated: 4/5

Dec 19, 2007

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

This in-depth documentary focuses on revered Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. In addition to presenting clips from many of Fellini's acclaimed movies, the film features extensive interview footage with the lively and eccentric director, including revelatory conversations recorded in the years before he died. The production also includes interviews with actors who worked with the infamously moody auteur, most notably Roberto Benigni and Donald Sutherland.

Director: Damian Pettigrew
Distributor: First Look
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 2, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD): Dec 2, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $106.1K