I think Pier Paolo Pasolini is one of the most important directors in the history of cinema ever. He's probably my favourite filmmaker of all time and the austere power of his films like Teorama or Porcile makes him the equal of Welles, Godard and Herzog, all of whom he influenced. His camera invoked the ultimate essence of 'being there' and his subjects almost become more real in front of it. There was something so physical, so obsessive in his approach, it seemed Pasolini could never escape reality, even when he tried to subvert it with myth and allegory.
I saw this documentary film several years ago on VHS and although I greedily devoured it, I couldn't help but think that, besides being a master filmmaker, Pasolini may also be one of the most enigmatic people ever. Like Andy Warhol, no one talks about Pasolini's personality the same way.
Everyone seems to have a different take on the purpose and goals of his life and art depending on whether they viewed him as an academic, an artist, politician, or homosexual, of which he was all these things and more. Because of this, it's virtually impossible to make a composite of who Pasolini really was. I wish this film had more footage of interviews with Pasolini himself.
Bertolluci's interview is probably the most enlightening and interesting, but you can tell he can't even begin to unpack his feelings about Pasolini. The awe and admiration Bertolluci had for his master is obvious and touching.
No one interested in Pasolini should pass up this otherwise strong documentary, but it's not the final doc on Pasolini's life by a long shot.
It would be hard to imagine what Pasolini would have thought about the state of world-film-making today, or what kind of films he would have made had he lived.
' I killed my father, I ate human flesh, and I quiver with joy!' - Porcile
I saw this documentary film several years ago on VHS and although I greedily devoured it, I couldn't help but think that, besides being a master filmmaker, Pasolini may also be one of the most enigmatic people ever. Like Andy Warhol, no one talks about Pasolini's personality the same way.
Everyone seems to have a different take on the purpose and goals of his life and art depending on whether they viewed him as an academic, an artist, politician, or homosexual, of which he was all these things and more. Because of this, it's virtually impossible to make a composite of who Pasolini really was. I wish this film had more footage of interviews with Pasolini himself.
Bertolluci's interview is probably the most enlightening and interesting, but you can tell he can't even begin to unpack his feelings about Pasolini. The awe and admiration Bertolluci had for his master is obvious and touching.
No one interested in Pasolini should pass up this otherwise strong documentary, but it's not the final doc on Pasolini's life by a long shot.
It would be hard to imagine what Pasolini would have thought about the state of world-film-making today, or what kind of films he would have made had he lived.
' I killed my father, I ate human flesh, and I quiver with joy!' - Porcile