In the Shade of the Conformist

In this visual essay renowned film critic and historian Adriano Apra takes a closer look at Bernardo Bertoluccis work with Pier Paolo Pasolini on La Commare Secca and discusses its poetic qualities and visual style Before the Revolution which was inspired by the French Nouvelle Vague Agony a segment from the anthology film Love and Anger the politically charged Partner with Pierre Clémenti which was filmed during the 68 student riots and The Spiders Stratagem Adriano Apra also discusses The Conformist and its unusual color scheme the camera movement the lensing etc Also included in the essay are clips from a very long interview with the Italian director in which he explains how The Conformist came to exist and discusses its production history its script and Alberto Moravias novel the casting process the key conflicts in the film etc