Bernardo Bertolucci

Bernardo Bertolucci

Bernardo Bertolucci – Mast and Kawin refer to Bertolucci as a romantic whose films study the interrelationship between political structures and sexual/emotional fulfillment. Bertolucci’s films conform to a more familiar narrative pattern and have been more well received in America than his Italian peers. His films employ expressive color patterns and are meticulous in their stylish attention to visual detail.

In The Conformist, Bertolucci examines the connection between political issues and sexual drives more implicitly than Pasolini’s explicit displays of torture in Salo. The main character Marcello’s (Jean-Louis Trintignant) ideological emptiness is connected with his unacknowledged sexuality. In the following clip of one of the most iconic scenes from The Conformist, Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli) and Anna (Dominique Sanda) dress extravagantly and go to a dance hall with their husbands where Marcello's commitment to the Fascists is tested by Quadri (Enzo Tarascio).

The Conformist (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1970):
Tribute best scenes - in class we saw the one where they danced Click Here

1) Mast and Kawin "refer to Bertolucci as a romantic whose films study the interrelationship between 
    political structures and sexual/emotional fulfillment."
2) Conform to more familiar narrative
3) Well received in America more than his peers.

The Conformist (1970)

1) examines connection between "political issues and sexual drives."
2) This is covered more implicitly rather than Pasolini's explicit Salo.

The main character Marcello's "ideological emptiness is connected with his unacknowledged sexuality.
The clip we're seeing in class of The Conformist shows characters Giulia and Anna dressing extravagantly and go to a dance hall with their husbands. There is a test to Marcello's Fascist commitment tested.

Movie takes place in the 40's Post Mussolini. Interesting that it takes place in theory at the same time as the Neorealist movies. Has opulent settings and beautiful costumes. 

Bertolucci did the screenplay and directed it. It's based on a novel of Alberto Moravia one of the most famous writers in Italy.

Trailer for the movie The Conformist - Click here.