"Experiencing the Film Festival"

Brianna N. Monk




On March 27, 2010, I attended Old Dominion University’s OnFilm Festival. I arrived at the Mills Godwin Building to see “Fitzcarraldo”. Fitzcarraldo is about a man (Klaus Kinski) named Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, who is obsessed with Opera, and is trying to build a Opera house in the middle of the Peruvian jungle. He is currently an ice maker after his big dream of building a railroad has failed. In the beginning of the movie, Brian and his girlfriend Molly (a local brothel owner) are traveling by boat to see a local Opera play. They do not have tickets and arrive late so initially they are denied entrance. Brian then explains how far he has come to get to the play and explains that his boats engine died. Fitzgerald then states that he has rowed the boat by hand and shows the security guard his bloody and blistering hands. The security guard feels bad for him and allows him entrance as long as he and Molly stand close to the wall.

Brian tries to get a local financer Don A. to finance his dream of becoming an Oprah owner. At first Don humors Brian’s request questioning the railroad’s success, but eventually agrees. Fitzgerald needs to get the help of the local Indians to not only help build his dream but also to spare his life. He eventually gets the help of the Indians and uses them as slaves. He uses them to build his 180-ton ship to facilitate his rubber transportation. Overall this movie was very interesting and very humorous. I enjoyed the movie and thought it was full of excitement.

Act: Fitzgerald’s obsession with Oprah and his dying need to build an Oprah house.

Purpose: The purpose of this movie is Brian want to build an Oprah house in the middle of the Peruvian Jungle. He needs to get the help of the help of the Indians for his mission. He also wants to put a 180-ton ship ranging from the river, over the mountains to the other leg. He wants to be famous and he loves Oprah so this seems like the best idea.



Agency: Obsession is one of the agencies because Brian is obsessed with Opera. Determination would be the next agency because he is determined to build an Opera house in the middle of the Jungle.



Agent: Brian Sweeny Fitzgerald would be the agent because he is the main character followed by his girlfriend Molly.