Arrogant, self-centered movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script for his latest film endeavor. Ten days away from the start of principal filming of his latest movie--ambitiously titled "Italia"--he has no idea for the movie at all. Escaping all the pressure at a seaside resort, he thinks about the women who have shaped his life: Mamma, judgmental but affectionate; Luisa, cherished yet under appreciated wife; Claudia, actress/muse of the picture; Carla, his flashy, passionate mistress; longtime costumer Lilli; bubbly American journalist Stephanie, and Saraghina, the salacious, witchy temptress of his childhood memories.