The metafictional narrative centers on Guido Anselmi Marcello Mastroianni , a famous Italian film director who suffers from stifled creativity as he attempts to direct an epic science fiction film. The film was shot in black and white by cinematographer Gianni Di Venanzo and features a score by Nino Rota , with costume and set designs by Piero Gherardi.
It is acknowledged as an avant-garde film [ 3 ] and a highly influential classic. It was included on the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage 's Italian films to be saved , a list of films that "have changed the collective memory of the country between and ". Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director, is suffering from " director's block ". Stalled on his new science fiction film that includes thinly veiled autobiographical references, he has lost interest amidst artistic and marital difficulties.
While attempting to recover from his anxieties at a luxurious spa, Guido hires a well-known critic to review his ideas for his film, but the critic blasts them. Guido has recurring visions of an Ideal Woman, whom he sees as key to his story. His mistress Carla comes to visit him, but Guido puts her in a separate hotel. The film production crew relocates to Guido's hotel in an unsuccessful attempt to get him to work on the film.
Guido admits to a cardinal that he is not happy. The cardinal offers little insight. Guido invites his estranged wife Luisa and her friends to join him. They dance, but Guido abandons her for his production crew.
Guido confesses to his wife's best friend Rosella that he wanted to make a film that was pure and honest, but he is struggling with something honest to say. Carla surprises Guido, Luisa, and Rosella outside the hotel, and Guido claims that he and Carla ended their affair years earlier.
