Ritz Cinemas, Randwick continues to celebrate its 85th birthday by announcing Pasolini: A Centenary Retrospective, featuring nine films from Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, who would have been 100 this year.
Proudly presented by Ritz Cinemas, Istituto Italiano di Cultura Sydney and Cinema Reborn, Pasolini: A Centenary Retrospective gives Sydney audiences the opportunity to revisit nine films by a revolutionary filmmaker whose visual, political and philosophical impact on cinema is left largely undiminished, with each session introduced by a special guest filmmaker, critic or academic.
The films will screen every Sunday from 16 October, beginning with Accattone (1964), Pasolini’s feature debut, which contains many of the characteristics that would become his trademarks, including a cast of local, non-professional actors and a narrative focus on impoverished characters.
Also screening as part of the retrospective are Mamma Roma (1962), starring Anna Magnani “at her most volcanic, hyperbolic, and magnificent” (Jonathan Rosenbaum); the documentary Love Meetings (1965); The Gospel According to Matthew (1964), the masterful retelling of the story of Christ shot in the neorealist style; and The Hawks and the Sparrows (1966), the last film to star Italian comic-actor Totò.
Of Pasolini’s colour films, Ritz Cinemas will screen Oedipus Rex (1967), an adaptation of the Sophocles play; Medea (1969), starring the great opera singer Maria Callas; and the enigmatic satire Pigsty (1969).
The retrospective will end with a screening of Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), perhaps the most controversial film of all time for its unflinching portrayal of human cruelty.
Pasolini: A Centenary Retrospective commences Sunday 16 October, 2022 at Ritz Cinemas, Randwick.
Accattone (1961) – Sunday, October 16, 4pm
Mamma Roma (1962) – Sunday, October 23, 4pm
Love Meetings (1965) – Sunday, October 30, 4pm
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) – Sunday, November 6, 4pm
The Hawks and the Sparrows (1966) – Sunday, November 13, 4pm
Oedipus Rex (1967) – Sunday, November 20, 4pm
Medea (1969) – Sunday, November 27, 4pm
Pigsty (1969) – Sunday, December 4, 4pm
Salò, or The 120 Days of Sodom (1975) – Sunday, December 11, 4pm
Tickets and full program here.
Download the program here.
Sydney Arts Guide has three double passes to give away to see a film by this great Italian filmmaker. Email editor.sydneyartsguide@gmail.com with PASOLINI PROMOTION in the subject heading. Winners will be advised by email.
Featured image : The great Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini