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The Secrets of Legendary Film Directors

Federico Fellini of 8 1/2, Akira Kurosawa of Seven Samurai, Billy Wilder of Some Like It Hot, Ingmar Bergman of The Virgin Spring, David Lean of Doctor Zhivago, John Schlesinger of Midnight Cowboy, Sergei Bondarchuk of War and Peace, Franco Zeffirelli of Romeo and Juliet, and Mike Nichols of The Graduate share their insight and ideas on filmmaking in this 1969 presentation from the 42nd Academy Awards, narrated by actor Gregory Peck. Courtesy of Barthendrikx, the short presentation contains invaluable tips and ideas for the filmmaker and film lover alike, reaching into topics such as "censorship, the new freedom of the screen, and where they're leading us."

Of much interest to us today is the encouragement that the directors offer to those attempting careers in filmmaking. [T]here are a lot of very bright young people who want to get into it, and I think it's terribly important for them that they fight with all the energy they have and never ever take no for an answer, declares John Schlesinger. Meanwhile, Franco Zeffirelli further supports that determination by touching upon the kind of mentality that would be beneficial for these very bright young people, They're in a position that they don't risk much, so why bother with obeying certain laws. Break all the rules and see what happens after that.

The personal stories of how these legendary film directors began their careers is also inspiring. David Lean proves that through hard work one is able to achieve his or her goal. He started carrying tea for the camera department, and since their was an absence of unions in his day, he was able to get experience in "almost everything," from being a camera assistant, assistant director, even "wardrobe mistress." Billy Wilder on the other hand was working for a newspaper when he "latched on to a group of young filmmakers." Akira Kurosawa had plans to become a painter and "accidentally" entered the world of cinema. For others it starts at an early age, when one becomes fascinated by the magic of moving pictures as in Ingmar Bergman's case.

Still, an essential insight in this presentation comes from Federico Fellini. He sheds light on the importance of a filmmaker engaging with his or her audience. The taste of the audience, the development of the taste of the audience, I think that is encouraging, and it obliges all of us to be better, to be more engaging, to not be so silly like in the past years. Respect for the intelligence of the audience is key in the evolution of filmmaking, as much as it was in 1969 it remains so today. Storytelling is an art that allows us to become more aware of life and of ourselves, reaching into our dreams, thoughts, feelings, desires, and awareness of who we are and why we belong here. It is vital that we continue to allow imagination and emotions to reveal more about ourselves, to, as Fellini puts it so well, oblige all of us to be better.