The film director Guido Anselmi is at the pinnacle of his profession and experiencing a creative block. Anselmi is told by his physicians to take it easy, so he travels to a posh resort. However, once there, a miserable crowd of people—including his producer, crew, actors, wife, mistress, and relatives—assemble, each pleading with him to continue the play. He fantasizes about former ladies and dreams of his youth as a way to escape their reliance.