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Review

Whereas Amarcord explores the director's childhood, 8½ his midlife creative crisis and Fellini's Roma the city he loves, Intervista is the master's nostalgic look at his youthful days at the famed Cinecitta -- the film studio where he made all his films. Touchingly evocative and bubbling with magical stories from his past as well as capturing the director at work today, the film is Fellini's valentine to the movies and the filmmaking process. Opening with his return to Cinecitta to begin work on his film version of Franz Kafka's "Amerika," a Japanese TV crew doggedly interviews him, prompting the director to recall his life-changing first visit to Cinecitta. That visit, presented as a film-within-a-film, features a wide-eyed Fellini who, on assignment to interview a beautiful star, stumbles across a fantastic film city bustling with excitement, chaos and magic. A joyous celebration -- all done in the director's ebullient and seductive style. (Italian with English subtitles)