Some films only work because of when they were made. One of these films is Federico Fellini’s 1960 classic La Dolce Vita. While the film’s themes of excess and celebrity are still relevant, part of the movie’s enduring appeal is its ‘60s look, showing off Rome in post-war glory. Despite that, a remake of the film is in the works.
AMBI Group Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi announced Thursday that they have signed a deal with the Fellini family to produce a remake of La Dolce Vita. According to Variety, the Rome-based producers will finance and produce with Daniele Di Lorenzo.
“We’ve been approached countless times and asked to consider everything from remakes and reimaginings to prequels and sequels. We knew it would take very special producers and compelling circumstances to motivate the family to allow rights to be optioned,” Fellini’s niece Francesca said in a statement.
La Dolce Vita is considered one of the best Italian movies ever made and one of the best films from the ‘60s. It starred Marcello Mastroianni as a journalist and followed his wanderings through Rome. Anita Ekberg, who died in January, co-starred as an actress Mastroianni’s character follows in one episode in the three-hour epic.
The film won the 1960 Cannes Film Festival’s Palme D’Or and the Oscar for Best costume Design (B&W). Fellini also scored a nomination for Best Director.
AMBI has not found a director, but someone will have to have some kind of gusto to want to direct a remake of Fellini’s classic.