Salo Critique: Part 1

Cynical Celluloid presents the most requested critique this channel has received. Salo, Pier Paulo Passolini's controversial classic tale of fascist repression with a twist is put under the microscope for this extended video.

This is a complex film in many respects, the story itself is simple but the subtext is complex. I've chosen to focus on the commentary on capitalism/consumerism angle because it's the most relevant to my experience of the movie, I do not dismiss the fascism angle at all.

I'm uploading this in a two part and censored fashion for a couple of reasons. Firstly because it's a more digestible length being two parts and secondly I don't want this flagged immediately because of the nature of the content. Of course there are no guarantees that someone will not flag this but at least I've made the effort.
The second part will be up in the not too distant future.

Please note, despite my extensive efforts to make this as YouTube friendly as possible the fact remains that this is a difficult and adult film and as such there is bound to be some material that may be beyond the pale for some. If you don't know about this film then please Google it and find out about it before watching this critique to make sure you can stomach the themes and plots points that will be talked about. It is not my intent in any way to offend so be informed and make up your own mind as to whether you want to view this video. I've gone out of my way to keep it as inoffensive as possible so please pay me the courtesy of being adult about your decision to view this.

There will be a complete, single part and uncensored edition on my BlipTV account soon after I have completed this for this channel.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Salo
• Passolini
• censorship
• banned
• film
• critique
• fascism
• consumerism
• dante
• sade

[Hallyism]

I have always been into disturbing/controversial films, so I was intrigued when I heard this film and book had been banned in some countries. So, I read a little of the book online, and decided to rent the film. I do take responsibility and agree that I probably should've not watched it. The symbolism is fascinating, but I couldn't stomach the visuals. Just sayin'. I wasn't criticizing you or the critique..so chill.

[lampyman101]

@Hallyism I didn't mean to imply anything other than i didn't know if you meant the film or the critique, it was a vague comment and IceCreamSuit obviously thought you meant the critique was all so no harm done, there was just a misunderstanding :0)

[davidscribe]

Brilliant work Glenn, you have a great talent for breaking down the more impenetrable movies with amazing depth and a clarity that makes them accessible to the layman. I found this film incredibly hard to watch. Not the content so much as the style, which is so effective at disassociating the viewer from the content that it became almost boring. (although I'm now eager to rewatch with added insight.)

(Also nice to see you making such good use of the extended runtime of your videos.)

[lampyman101]

@davidscribe Thanks David. I'm just re-watching a few of your previous reviews at the moment and I can turn your compliments straight back at you. I hope you can find time to make a new review at some point in the not too distant future mate.

[RingshadowCat]

Why would anyone smile? Smiling can be an expression of fear.

[kedarguru]

bet the one dislike was from someone who expected pornography.

[oddeoddeify]

Once again, a brilliant and highly sophisticated interpretation of a controversial film.

[joelsttn]

@SomeGuyYeah007 It's controversial, and brilliant. One of Pasolini's best.

[SomeGuyYeah007]

@joelsttn

The film is smug and full of self-righteous symbolism. Of course the BBFC would defend it.

[10191927]

Personally, I think Salo is just a terrible movie overall. I think it ruins itself with setting up a symbolic gesture, only to destroy it with a literal and brutal translation and demonstration. I could get the messages and symbolism without the nudity and gross out moments. It's just gross, out of place, and takes takes such a literal approach that it any sense of a meaningful message is lost on the viewer. If other people like it, that's fine. But not my kind of film at all.

[IceCreamSuit]

@Hallyism If you meant you saw the movie Salo once, and it made you nauseous, then I apologise for my comment.

[lampyman101]

@IceCreamSuit I'm not sure if this person was talking about the critique or the film...