Title of film : Salo or the 120 Days of Sodom
Director Name : Pier Paolo Pasolini
Cast & crew :
Producer : Alberto Grimaldi
Editor : Nino Baragli
Cast :
Synopsis : Divided into four segments, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, Pier Paolo Pasolini’ last film, Salò, or The120 Days of Sodom is notorious for its controversial plot that has been described asdepraved, nauseating, shocking, pornographic and, at the same time, a masterpiece. This rendition of Marquis de Sade’s eighteenth-century oeuvre of torment and dilapidationis one that invokes many a thought about the socio-political and sexual dynamics of the world we live in and stands among the most debated films to have been made. 1944, Republic of Salo, Fascist Italy, Mussolini is temporarily freed from Italian partigiani by the Nazis. In anisolated chateau, four influential men- the Duke, the Bishop, the Magistrate, and the President, host a group of captured young men and women, revealing their ultimate desires as heinous acts are committed and the world crumbles around them. The film tries to portray the misuse of power by fascists leading to the physical, psychological, sexual abuse, torture and ultimately, death of the hapless victims through scenes that shock, repulse, disgust and disturb without holding back. Pasolini endeavors to question and explore the themes of sexuality, morality, fascism, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, consumerism, capitalism, corruption, nihilism and sadism in this work. Review: “This film is essential to have seen but impossible to watch: a viewer may find life itself defiled beyond redemption by the simple fact that such things can be shown or even imagined.” - Richard Brody, New Yorker
Director Bio : ):(An)Italian intellectual, poet, novelist and motion-picture director also noted for being an actor, visual artist, playwright, translator and journalist, Pier Paolo Pasolini (March 5, 1922- November 2, 1975) is known for having demonstrated a unique and extraordinary cultural versatility, imparting to his creation a spiritual quality whilst denying any ultimate, transcendent truth. Furthermore an outspoken philosopher, painter and linguist, he challenged social norms and made strong political statements with his unorthodox views on homosexuality, Marxism, fascism and atheism, all of which made him a highly controversial figure. His body of work focused on the underside of modern life and was defined by potent imagery and thematic juxtapositions of the sacred and the profane, the pious and the perverse, the personal and the political. “An artist, if he's unselfish and passionate, is always a living protest. Just to open his mouth is to protest: against conformism, against what is official, public, or national, what everyone else feels comfortable with.” - Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1922-1975
Filmography :
