BERNARDO BERTOLUCCI:
WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF CINEMA?
Original language title: BERTOLUCCI. A COSA SERVE IL CINEMA?

Country of production: Italy
Year: 2001
Language: Italian
55 mins.

Bernardo Bertolucci's rich and often controversial career is carefully reconstructed by means of dozens of interviews, specials, backstage clips, and awards ceremonies. What emerges is the portrait of a complex artist whose work is constantly evolving; a thinking man who enjoys talking about himself and his experiences. The documentary follows Bertolucci's career chronologically, from his encounter with Pasolini to the making of BESIEGED. In between we see his early switch from poetry to cinema; his start as a director; his periods of political commitment; scandal and censorship with the release of LAST TANGO IN PARIS; his partnership with the American studios to produce 1900; and his flight from Italy's corruption scandals, which led him to work abroad for many years. In 1987, Bertolucci won nine Oscars for THE LAST EMPEROR which was followed by THE SHELTERING SKY, and LITTLE BUDDHA. In the 90s, STEALING BEAUTY marked his discreet return to the Italian cinema. Now, with BESIEGED, Bertolucci displays his growing interest in the language of television. This documentary concludes with a statement by the director on television today. Here is final proof - if any were needed - of Bertolucci's impressive ability to keep pace with the times.

Director: Sandro Lai
Cinematography: Daniele Piccioni
Editing: Giuseppe Balderi
Production Company: Rai
Source:
RAI Trade
Via Novaro, 18
00195 Rome, Italy
info@raitrade.it

Sandro Lai has directed several films for Italian television.

Friday, March 28
7pm
Gallery Theatre
Screening with SERGIO LEONE

FILMS ABOUT FILMMAKERS