«Ginger & Fred» (1986)

Bittersweet symphony by Fellini

 

A popular Italian TV show entertains the viewers with all kings of grotesque, including charlatans, impersonators and imprisoned mafiosos. One day, the show presents to the people two past stars – impersonators of Fred Astaire and Ginger Roberts. Will the modern public understand those dinosaurs?

 

In the 1980s Silvio Berlusconi launched his TV empire and flooded the Italian screens with Americanized game shows and soap operas. Fellini shows Rome filled with vulgar advertising and adult cinema billboards. He constantly pokes fun at this new world with its emphasis on tittering the lowest impulses of the people. He even gave a small role to Moana Pozzi (Google about her).

Still Fellini is no Pasolini, so he wasn’t filming the indictment of modern society. He made a bittersweet symphony about two past stars, who are reunited after a long separation. They’re beaten by life and age, but they still have their magic. While they’re preparing for the showtime, we feel their energy and chemistry. So, maybe they will be able to win the love of the new generation.

 

So, despite showing the vulgarity of the 1980s Italy, «Ginger & Fred» is first and foremost a moving story about the meeting between an old Italy of music hall and a new Italy of TV shows. It tastes like grapefruit or fine chianti. So, don’t hesitate to savor it!