Salò d'hier à aujourd'hui (2002 Video) User Reviews

Illuminating documentary

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 28 July 2016]

This 33-minute documentary provides an informative take on both the making of and subsequent controversy surrounding Pier Paolo Pasolini's shocking last film "Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom." The vintage archive interview with Pasolini in particular is especially invaluable, for it gives Pasolini the opportunity to explain that the sex in the movie was meant as a metaphor on power and those subjected to it as well as how the body in modern consumerist society has been reduced to a commodity and the pressure society puts on people to conform. Moreover, Pasolini reveals that although he cast many of the teenagers from off of the street he still treated them as professional actors and that he edited the picture while shooting it. The footage of Pasolini filming the final brutal scenes of torture and violence show him to be a very precise, yet relaxed director who did his best to keep things calm and easygoing on the set. In addition, Jean-Claude Biette discusses doing the French dub for "Salo" and how he was initially shocked when he first saw it, but has since realized on repeat viewings that the movie does have moments of dark humor. Actress Helene Surgere reveals that the mood on the set was jovial and immature because of the abundance of inexperienced adolescent actors as well as notes that the police were present on the set to keep everybody safe and bemoans the fact that the picture was banned in Italy when it was first released. Ninetto Davoli praises "Salo" as a masterpiece that fiercely critiques the toxic direction Italian society took in the mid-1970's. Essential viewing for fans of the film.

Worthwhile Documentary

[Michael_Elliott · 2 December 2017]

Salò d'hier à aujourd'hui (2002)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

This thirty-three minute documentary takes a look at Pier Paolo Pasolini on the making of his final film SALO: THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM. The documentary starts off as we get to watch the director on the set of the movie. We see him setting up various shots in the picture as well as directing the actors. We then get an interview with him as he talks about his ideas on the movie. From here we hear from the likes of Jean-Claude Biette and Helene Surgere as they talk about what the film means to them. If you're a fan of the film in question then you'll certainly want to watch this documentary and especially since there's so much footage from the production as well as the interview with its director who of course was murdered before the film's release.

useful

[Kirpianuscus · 30 August 2016]

Salo remains a challenge for large public. and this fact is not surprising.because the violence and the not comfortable scenes of sexuality and coprophagia are not easy to see only as the first, superficial layer of the story. or as metaphor. and this is the purpose of the documentary of Amaury Voslion. not to guide or explain. but to give the opportunity to the people around this controversial project to explain it. for see the other side. to imagine it out of the clichés. to understand the desire and the work of Pasolini. to not ignore political context of Italy in "70's. for make the right puzzle, using each element who gives the correct light about a film who represents for Ninetto Davoli a masterpiece. and, sure, for see again Salo. in different manner. discovering Dante's influence. imagining the high school atmosphere on the set. and the patience of director. and, maybe, have the chance to be front to a new Pasolini.