Italian Cinema: From Neo-realism to Surrealism – the Cinema of Federico Fellini
Monday, 9 February 2026
An illustrated talk by Patrick Hargood and Mike Jennings of the New Park cinema’s Education Team
to be held at Chichester Cinema at New Park
Federico Fellini (1920-1993) was one of the most imaginative and highly respected film makers of the 20th century. The extraordinary personal cinema he created over nearly fifty years, weaving the realities of daily life, dreams, fantasies and autobiography in stunningly creative images still astound us today.
This illustrated talk will explore this outstanding cinema magician’s life, career and major influences, from his early days in comics, radio and journalism, his marriage to the star of many of his films, Giulietta Masina, to his scriptwriting collaborations, to his early great films in the 1950s, and then his later period of world-wide fame as the director of films such as ‘8½’, and ‘La Dolce Vita’. We will show many extracts from his films and reveal his extraordinary imagination, producing images and sounds that linger in the audience’s memories forever.
Patrick Hargood, Education Officer
Patrick has been working with the education team at Chichester Cinema since 2018, since 2022 as the Education Officer, regularly delivering talks to both adults and students on filmmakers, film genres and many other aspects of the history and the art of cinema. A retired teacher of Media, Film, English and Philosophy with a love of cinema from all over the world, he rates Fellini as one of the top ten directors of all time.
Mike Jennings
Mike was responsible for writing the Education policy for New Park Cinema, and setting up our original Education programme. He is now a member of the team delivering talks on various aspects of cinema to both adults and schools.
He spent his career in education, first in primary schools in London, and then at the University of Chichester, teaching History and running a variety of programmes in teacher education. A passionate lover of all things cinema, and he loves Italian food, too ..!
There are two opportunities to see the Fellini film Otto e Mezzo (8 1/2 ) on:
Friday 30 January 2026 20.15pm and Sunday 1 February 2026 at 15.15
*Current Members are advised to look out for our next monthly email that will provide full details for obtaining ‘Members’ tickets for this event