Riccardo Fellini: the forgotten brother of Federico Fellini
Riccardo Fellini (Rimini, 1921 – Rome, 1991) was the younger brother of filmmaker Federico Fellini. Despite sharing the same passion for cinema, his career was overshadowed by his brother's fame. After studying at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, he landed a small role in Mario Mattoli's 1942 film 'I 3 aquilotti'. He later appeared in Federico's 'I Vitelloni' (1953) and sang at his wedding to Giulietta Masina in 1943. His only directorial work, 'Storie sulla sabbia', was presented at the Venice Film Festival in 1963 but never distributed. Critic Francesco Dorigo described it as 'essentially fragile'. Federico reportedly suggested Riccardo use their mother's maiden name, Barbiani, to avoid confusion. After the film's failure, Riccardo moved to television, focusing on animal-themed documentaries. In 1974 he made 'Lo zoo Folle' for Rai about the Rome Zoo, during which a chimpanzee bit off his index finger. In 1983 he directed 'Quegli animali degli italiani', a 7-episode investigation denouncing battery farming. Riccardo died at 70 from paralysis. He was largely forgotten until the 2013 documentary 'L'altro Fellini' by Stefano Bisulli and Roberto Naccari, presented at the Rome Film Festival.
Key facts
- Riccardo Fellini was born in Rimini in 1921 and died in Rome in 1991.
- He was the younger brother of filmmaker Federico Fellini.
- He studied acting at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome.
- He had a small role in Mario Mattoli's 1942 film 'I 3 aquilotti'.
- He sang Schubert's 'Ave Maria' at Federico's wedding to Giulietta Masina in 1943.
- He appeared in Federico's film 'I Vitelloni' (1953).
- His only directorial work, 'Storie sulla sabbia', was presented at the Venice Film Festival in 1963 but never distributed.
- Federico suggested Riccardo use their mother's maiden name, Barbiani, for his film.
- After leaving cinema, he worked in television, making animal documentaries for Rai.
- In 1974, during filming of 'Lo zoo Folle' at the Rome Zoo, a chimpanzee bit off his index finger.
- In 1983 he directed 'Quegli animali degli italiani', a 7-episode investigation on battery farming.
- He died at age 70 from paralysis.
- The 2013 documentary 'L'altro Fellini' by Stefano Bisulli and Roberto Naccari was presented at the Rome Film Festival.
- Critic Francesco Dorigo reviewed 'Storie sulla sabbia' in Cineforum.
Entities
Artists
- Riccardo Fellini
- Federico Fellini
- Giulietta Masina
- Mario Mattoli
- Francesco Dorigo
- Stefano Bisulli
- Roberto Naccari
Institutions
- Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia
- Rai
- Cineforum
- Artribune
- Rome Film Festival
- Venice Film Festival
Locations
- Rimini
- Rome
- Fano
- Italy