Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom

[Lost Johnny]

I am not in favor of censorship and I have seen and own plenty of films which others would find disturbing, but am I out of line for feeling revolted that anyone would remaster and sell this film on Blu Ray? Aren't there other fillms more worthy?

LJB

[GGX]

The film is certainly not for everyone. But it has its place. I am not bothered by a Blu-ray release in the slightest.

[deadhatetheliving]

Originally Posted by Lost Johnny

I am not in favor of censorship and I have seen and own plenty of films which others would find disturbing, but am I out of line for feeling revolted that anyone would remaster and sell this film on Blu Ray? Aren't there other fillms more worthy?

LJB

Says the guy who want Showgirls on blu

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Lost Johnny

I am not in favor of censorship and I have seen and own plenty of films which others would find disturbing, but am I out of line for feeling revolted that anyone would remaster and sell this film on Blu Ray? Aren't there other fillms more worthy?

LJB

The key word here is indeed disturbing.

After a number of years lecturing and discussing the work of Pasolini I always find myself pondering the same question:

Why does it matter to you what a director captured on film if you already have your mind set on dismissing it entirely without even knowing what the film is about?

Surely, just by glancing at the synopsis for Salo you did not grasp the entire spectrum of emotions this film harbors. If you were to see it and then express disgust with what you've endured that would be an entirely different story. But then you would be incapable of dismissing the film to begin with as disgust, pain, and denouncement of human kind's progress is what Pasolini intended his final film to spur.

Take care,
Dr.A

[reginaroadie]

Actually, I see the content and it's nihilistic tone as a challenge. As someone purely in love with film and is constantly trying to see stuff I've never seen before, movies like SALO that everyone says is horrible and morally repugnant only make me want to see it more. And a recent experience has made me appreciate collectors and all they go through for that one elusive title.

With the recent re-release of the film through Criterion, I thought I'd finally get the chance to see it for myself. And not only did I special order it through HMV, but I got the call from them saying that it was actually in and that I could go pick it up. But then later, I found out that the Canada Council made the film illegal for any retailer to sell in Canada, so they had to actually send it back.

Now I want to see it more than ever. A part of me actually wants to drive down past the U.S. border to go on a scavenger hunt for it in the States. But I actually e-mailed The Criterion Collection about it, and they said that if I had a credit card, that I could actually buy it online and have it shipped to me. The thing is, I don't actually have one. And I'm not about to ask my folks to buy this for me online.

So if there's anyone in the States or here in Saskatchewan with a credit card, I will pay for the DVD itself as well as shipping and handling to actually get it. If you're interested, leave me a message.

[blackhawktraffic]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The key word here is indeed disturbing.

After a number of years lecturing and discussing the work of Pasolini I always find myself pondering the same question:

Why does it matter to you what a director captured on film if you already have your mind set on dismissing it entirely without even knowing what the film is about?

Surely, just by glancing at the synopsis for Salo you did not grasp the entire spectrum of emotions this film harbors. If you were to see it and then express disgust with what you've endured that would be an entirely different story. But then you would be incapable of dismissing the film to begin with as disgust, pain, and denouncement of human kind's progress is what Pasolini intended his final film to spur.

Take care,
Dr.A

Wow Very well put.

[Lost Johnny]

I have seen it, and I have heard this before, including a recomendation from a film teacher I respect very much. The response is always that the ends, justify the means. Showing the evil that men do, what people are capable of, is so important that the extent of the graphic scenes is acceptable. I will not argue this. But there is another side. Can we agree that some subjects, while deeply disturbing and worthy of bieng filmed, should be done so in a way that does not flirt with expoitation and cheap thrills? This film pole vaults over the line and is revolting to the point where, I think, it cannot be defended as art showing the evil of fascism. My problem was that a respectible film company spent the amount of time and energy that they did and the add for the film raves about the crystal clear transfer and such, this is just disturbing. I cannot endorse censorship but I will not be buying this.

LJB