The sparkling Giulietta Masina: actress of the heart and mind; as funny, grave, and profound as Chaplin. This final scene from Fellini’s masterpiece Nights of Cabiria (1957) captures her singular genius and never ceases to inspire me. The unsinkable heroine—brave, brave, always onwards—roams the streets dreaming of a wonderful life but consistently finding heartbreak. Still she continues, a part of her rallying beyond limits, beyond herself, finally smiling through her tears.
For artists and writers, I nominate Cabiria as Patron Saint of Pluck and Obstinate Resilience. But life continues…
