A young Sicilian is swindled twice, but ends up rich; a man poses as a deaf-mute in a convent of curious nuns; a woman must hide her lover when her husband comes home early; a scoundrel fools a priest on his deathbed; three brothers take revenge on their sister's lover; a young girl sleeps on the roof to meet her boyfriend at night; a group of painters wait for inspiration; a crafty priest attempts to seduce his friend's wife; and two friends make a pact to find out what happens after death.
Direction
Pasolini's playful, unapologetic lens on medieval flesh.
Production
Naples locations feel authentically grubby and alive.
Acting
Franco Citti's deadpan scammer is pure magic.
Director
Pier Paolo Pasolini
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pasolini cast actual Neapolitan street people alongside professionals, rejecting polished Hollywood beauty standards entirely.
First of Pasolini's 'Trilogy of Life'—he'd later disown the series after becoming disillusioned with consumerist sexuality, making this a document of his brief optimism.
IT
