Der weiße Scheich (1952)
45KDer weiße Scheich: Directed by Federico Fellini. With Alberto Sordi, Brunella Bovo, Leopoldo Trieste, Giulietta Masina. During a day of their honeymoon, newlyweds are separated by the city’s lust and the desires it produces.
“When most people think of Fellini, they think of his films La Strada or La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2, but the directoru0026#39;s vast catalogue of films is worth checking out just to see a genius at work. Felliniu0026#39;s early and little known film, The White Sheik proves to be a cinematic gem that not only hints at the director Fellini would become, but also stands on its own as an achievement.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePart soap opera (read Mexican soaps) and part romantic comedy, The White Sheik leans towards surrealism and comic book camp (over 30 years before Kevin Smith created DOGMA). The premise of the story is that two newly weds, Vanda Giardino (Bruenella Boro) and her husband Ivan Cavelli (Leopoldo Trieste) honeymoon in Rome where Ivan hopes to make a good impression of his relations. Unfortunately for him, his wife sneaks out of the hotel room so that she can meet her comic book hero, The White Sheik (Alberto Sordi.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eShot in black and white, this film is gorgeous and surreal. The actors on the set of The White Sheik come across as gypsy or circus like. They sport tough attitudes and this makes a nice contrast to Vandau0026#39;s wide-eyed innocence.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe White Sheik is technically Felliniu0026#39;s second film, but the first one in which he did not share directing credits. However, he did share writing credits with Michelangelo Antonioni, Ennio Flaiano and Tullio Pinelli. If you are a fan of La Strada and Nights of Cabiria then you must see this film.”
