The White Sheik story
The White Sheik (Italian: Lo sceicco bianco) is a 1952 Italian romantic comedy film directed by Federico Fellini and starring Alberto Sordi, Leopoldo Trieste, Brunella Bovo and Giulietta Masina. Written by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano and Michelangelo Antonioni, the film is about a man who brings his new bride to Rome for their honeymoon, to gain an audience with the Pope, and to present his wife to his family. When the young woman sneaks away to find the hero of her romance novels, the man is forced to spend hour after painful hour making excuses to his eager family who want to meet his missing bride. The White Sheik was filmed on location in Fregene, Rome, Spoleto and Vatican City.
18 total · 2 choice · 8 major · 8 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| celebrity worship | choice | Wanda was besotted with the eponymous fictional character, and the actor who portrayed him. |
| coping with a loved one being missing | choice | Ivan went to the police when he realized that Wanda was missing. |
| aunt and nephew | major | Ivan met his aunt, uncle, and extended family. |
| coping with an enamored groupie | major | Wanda was clearly attracted to Fernando, the White Sheik, and he did his best to take advantage of the situation. |
| family honor | major | Ivan sought to conceal his wife's disappearance because he was concerned for his family honor. |
| husband and wife | major | Ivan's uncle and aunt; Ivan and Wanda. |
| in-law relationship | major | Wanda with her husband's uncle and aunt. |
| newlywed couple | major | The story concerned the misadventures of a couple honeymooning in Rome, intending to be congratulated by the Pope. |
| romantic love | major | Ivan's love for Wanda was clearly demonstrated when he started showing photos of her to two inquisitive women. |
| uncle and nephew | major | Ivan met his aunt, uncle, and extended family. |