Fulci for Fake
Written and Directed by Simone Scafidi

Starring Fabio Frizzi, Paolo Malco, Sergio Salvati, Michele Soavi, Sandro Bitetto, Enrico Vanzina, Berenice Sparano, Michele Romagnoli, Davide Pulici, and Camilla and Antonella Fulci.

When I first read of this new biography being made on Lucio Fulci, of course, I was skeptical. A lot of biographical films tend to exaggerate things to tell a better story, instead of sticking to the truth. But after watching it, I now realize that it is something completely different. It is like if someone is going to make this biographical film, hires an actor to play Fulci, then the actor decides to go out to talk to the people that knew and worked with him, to give him some insight to this enigmatic man. And they did it brilliantly. So it is really more interviews and stories, interlaced with tons of photos and home movies showing a side of this director that we hadn’t seen before.

After we see the actor, Nicola Nocella in full Fulci makeup, only to have him ripping it off (which even felt like some scenes from a Fulci film), he heads out with a film crew to interview a variety of people, starting with Fulci’s daughter, Camilla, who really gives us the most information and insight. She has some of the most wonderful stories about her father, that really gives a good look at the man. But then we also get to hear from actors like Paolo Malco and Michele Soavi, Sandro Bitetto, who was his personal assistant in the late ’60 to early ’70s, cinematographer Sergio Salvati, and many more. Hearing them speak about Fulci, this is not just a puff piece, with more than a few comments showing the harsher side of the director. It does give a little theory into why he was this way, but also shows the other side of this truly talented filmmaker, and the effect of their relationship with him. Even when speaking about this death, more than a few were still openly emotional by their memories.

Fulci for Fake does an incredible job showing even more depth and details on this strange character of Italian cinema. We get to see tons of photos and even film footage of his past, with his wife and two daughters. He did not have an easy life, but I know he will always be remembered for the great pieces of cinema that he has left millions of fans. Fulci for Fake helps remind us just how good he was.

The extras on the disc are filled with extended interviews from the people involved, along with more home movies of Fulci’s private life, with commentary by Michele Romagnoli and Fulci, plus a whole lot more. Thanks to Severin for making this available for all Fulci fans!

Fulci Lives!