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Focus on Bertolucci

Last Tango in Paris

Born in Italy in 1941, Bernardo Bertolucci is one of the most acclaimed auteurs in the history of cinema, fusing stylistic lyricism with provocative explorations of sexuality and ideology.

Bertolucci moved confidently beyond the influence of his early mentors, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Jean-Luc Godard, to develop a distinctive voice, often best elaborated in partnership with his long-time cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro.

This retrospective offers a rare opportunity to view Bertolucci's work as it deserves to be seen, on magnificent new 35mm prints.

Read Encountering Bertolucci, Christos Tsiolkas' companion essay to the season. 

Thursday 20 October - Tuesday 8 November 2011
Full $15 Concession $12 ACMI Members $11
6 Session Pass: Full $72 Concession $60 ACMI Members $54
NB > Passes can only be purchased by phone (03 8663 2583) or in person at the Tickets & Information Desk

Before the Revolution (Prima della rivoluzione) Bertolucci's Cannes-acclaimed breakthrough feature from 1964.

Partner Bertolucci's New Wave-inspired take on Dostoevsky's 'The Double' features an anarchic performance by Pierre Clementi.

1900 (Novecento) Bertolucci's sprawling epic of 20th Century Italian history and politics, screening complete and uncut!

The Grim Reaper (La commare secca) Bertolucci's auspicious feature debut, based on a story by mentor Pier Paolo Pasolini, premiered at the 1962 Venice Film Festival.

Last Tango in Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi) Marlon Brando is electrifying in Bernardo Bertolucci's landmark erotic drama from 1972.

The Conformist (Il conformista) Bertolucci's stunning masterpiece of '70s cinema, based on the acclaimed novel by Alberto Moravia.

Once Upon a Time...Last Tango in Paris (Il etait une fois...Le dernier tango a Paris) A revealing look back at the landmark erotic drama from 1972. Screens with 'Agony', from the 1969 omnibus film 'Love and Anger'.

The Spider's Stratagem (Strategia del ragno) Bertolucci's enigmatic re-telling of the short story by Jorge Luis Borges.

Oil (La via del petrolio) Premiere screening of the restored 1967 feature length documentary by Bertolucci, unveiled at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.

La Luna Jill Clayburgh gives an extraordinary performance in the 1979 drama that is arguably Bertolucci's most provocative film.

The Cinema According to Bertolucci (Bertolucci secondo il cinema) A fascinating on-set film by Gianni Amelio, imaginatively exploring the making of Bertolucci's political epic, '1900'.

Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man (La tragedia di un uomo ridicolo) Ugo Tognazzi and Anouk Aimee in an intriguing family drama set against a backdrop of Italian domestic terrorism.

The Sheltering Sky Debra Winger and John Malkovich are Americans abroad in this erotically charged adaptation of John Bowles' cult 1949 novel.

The Italian Traveller: Bernardo Bertolucci (Le voyageur italien) A whimsical documentary journey with Bertolucci, from his native Parma, to Paris and China. Screens with the short film 'Agony'.

The Last Emperor Bertolucci's acclaimed 1987 epic, winner of nine Academy Awards including Best Film and Best Director.

Little Buddha The final film in Bertolucci's Eastern trilogy, following 'The Last Emperor' (1987) and 'The Sheltering Sky' (1990).

Stealing Beauty Liv Tyler is the winsome object of male desire in Bertolucci's "gorgeous, sun-kissed daydream of a film" (TIFF).

The Dreamers Michael Pitt, Eva Green and Louis Garrel are the 'dreamers' in an evocative adaptation of Gilbert Adair's 'The Holy Innocents'.

Besieged An intimate mood piece, suffused with sensuality and the dreamily fluid rhythms that are Bertolucci's signature.