This film was released on Friday 11th September 2015 and is no longer screening.

Often cited as one of Italy’s most significant filmmakers, Pasolini was also a renowned poet, intellectual and highly controversial political figure. In 1975, his body was discovered on a beach outside Rome, where he had been assaulted and run over by his own car. Despite a conviction, the murder spawned theories of conspiracy but rather than engage with these here, Abel Ferrara instead examines the director’s last few days alive. Amidst discussion about the release plans for Salò and conversation around the abstract, fragmentary novel Pasolini was working on at the time of his death, Ferrara also stages often salacious scenes from Porno-Teo-Kolossal, the film the director hoped to make next.

This innovative approach is matched by Willem Dafoe, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Pasolini, and who gives a brilliant performance as an ingenious, complex figure who felt drawn to explore the darker, more sordid aspects of life. (Notes by Alice Butler.)

For more on Pasolini, check out our Focus on Pier Paolo Pasolini (September 5th-13th). 

This film will be up for discussion in our FREE monthly film club, The Critical Take, on September 29th at 18.30. Simply book your FREE seat by contacting the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or emailing boxoffice@irishfilm.ie (given that events can sell out, please note that your emailed booking requests must be confirmed by reply email from the Box Office in order to be considered valid).

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.