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Adapted from a J. L. Borges’ short story, “The Theme of the Traitor and the Hero”, Bertolucci’s fourth feature is a haunting mystery about a young man returning to his patriarchal village to avenge the murder of his anti-fascist father. The young man’s return, however, results in his personal confrontation with the Freudian mysteries of the unconscious; in particular the secrets repressed by memory. In uncovering the truth about his father the young man begins to lose his own sense of identity. Bertolucci creates a claustrophobic, menacing atmosphere that reflects the confusion of his young hero. The ravishing cinematography is by Vittorio Storaro.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
303701
Language
Italian
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Foreign language films
Feature films → Feature films - Italy
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Memory
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Revenge
Literature → Latin American literature - Film and video adaptations
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)