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Coincidentally, TFO (la télévision éducative et culturelle de l’Ontario français(!)) had Fellini's "La Strada" tonight. It was dubbed in French, which I thought would be distracting, but it was perfect since there really isn't that much dialogue.
This is more a story about the wayward nature of circus/carnival entertainers, who are always on the road (La Strada) and seldom have homes and stability. Yet, despite this great handicap, they really do make a go at ordinary life, with their make-shift caravans.
Once again, the other-worldliness of carnivals and performers is used to tell a story. This time, a poignant story about three characters: one naive, one brutish and one incongruously named "The Fool."
Fellini clearly finds Gelsomina, the slow-witted one of the three, his most endearing character. And she is so beguiling, that it doesn't matter if Fellini is a little condescending.
And, I have met such "slow" people who have flashes of wisdom, artistry (as Gelsonina is happy to remind everyone) and individuality, if only because of their inherent, emotional honesty.
A morality tale takes place in Fellini's fairground. Well, Hitchcock used his that way also, to resolve a murder in his case.
But Fellini's project is more ambitious. It is about the little daily moralities: Gelsomina staying with Zampano; Il Matto leaving Gelsomina alone; nuns and neighborhood women taking care of the desolate Gelsomina; Zampano's final error.