I had seen both films (Luci del varietà and Lo Sceicco bianco) before, but watching the in-class video made me pay more attention to Fellini's style. I suppose in the back of my mind I must have noticed he picked funny-looking characters, but I made an effort to examine faces closely this time. Even if viewed without sound, the characters move so much and express so much with their faces that a plot could easily be followed without any sort of dialogue at all.
During both films, I felt a full range of emotions. Checco and his treatment of Melina made me sad in Luci del varieta'; Liliana's treatment of Checco was frustrating and made me even more depressed about the Melina/Checco situation. However, I was also moved by Checco's love for the theater and drive for putting on a variety show. I also really appreciated the really random comedic moments, for example: the trumpet player with the laugh that went on for a ridiculous amount of time.
Lo Sceicco bianco was much more enjoyable the second time around. From the reading, I kept in mind the Fellini quote related to this movie where he said, "But when dreams become reality, they make no one happy." (Page 29: The Cinema of Federico Fellini) Keeping this in mind for the screening, I appreciated more how Fellini conveyed those thoughts through the film. Also, I liked how he added such weird dream-like/comedic scenes into the movie. The White Sheik swinging up high for no apparent reason, the hilarious jump shot as he hits the floor, Wanda's attempted suicide which ends in her falling about a foot in the most shallow part of the water, etc.
Also, I really, really love Nino Rota, so the score for Fellini's films are always very enjoyable. Did he do the score for Luci del varieta' too? (Anyone know? It's a similar style, at least.)
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I found looking at the faces of the actors to be very entertaining as well. The music for Variety Lights wasn't Nino Rota but Felice Lattuada. The way Checco treated and was treated by people was also a tragic part of the lighthearted comedy, but I loved that the movie ended with them back together just like the beginning. I had similar feelings toward The White Sheik and was again happy to see that both forgave the other for what transgressions may or may not have taken place while they were apart.
Your absolutely right about the charectors and their facial expression. These small details help show the dialogue and the emotions of the story.
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