The Eroticist
dir. Lucio Fulci · 1972
Feature
Moral Ambiguity
Mood
Comedic
Look
vibrant, exaggerated colors with a theatrical flair
Structure
episodic vignettes with escalating absurdity
Plot
Senator Pupis feels a strong and uncontrollable urge to grab women's bottoms, a habit than can lead to embarrassment, especially if the woman in question is head of another state and the occasion a state visit. In his desperation Pupis turns to the clergy for spiritual and psychological help.
Why watch
Senator Pupis grapples with an uncontrollable urge that leads him into increasingly absurd situations, including seeking help from the clergy. Watching this film is like stepping into a chaotic carnival where the absurdity of political power and sexual politics collide in a riotous spectacle.
Talking points
- the intersection of politics and sexuality
- the role of humor in addressing taboo subjects
- the absurdity of authority figures
- cultural perceptions of morality in the 1970s
Cultural context
1970s Italian cinemasexual liberation movementspolitical satire in filmthe role of clergy in society