Pasolini: Poetry & Politics

A series of screenings to mark 40 years since Pier Paolo Pasolini’s untimely death. Through these screenings, the ICA explores his essential filmography through a selection of his most astonishing masterpieces that allow full appreciation of the filmmaker’s poetic and political beliefs.

Pier Paolo Pasolini sits alongside Fellini, Antonioni and Elio Petri as one of the great Italian filmmakers of the late 20th century. His filmmaking began under the influence of Italian neorealism, and the first event explores this aspect of his filmography through screening Pasolini’s first film, Accattone (1961) – often cited as the last neorealist film. The season then continues with The Gospel According to Matthew (1964), where poetry and cinema blend beautifully. The season culminates with a final screening of the fiercely political Pigsty (1969), a detailed politico-philosophical statement made through visual images where the filmmaker channels his disillusionment towards all possible social justice.

Pasolini’s death left an incredible gap within the European cultural landscape. His artistic yet social-political engagement made his cinematic voice unique and uncompromising. With the screenings of some of his masterpieces, the ICA commemorates a true master of world cinema. 

(Notes by Cinema & Film Programme Manager, Nico Marzano)

Season Multi-buy
Special offer when booking all three screenings in the season:
Full £27
Concession £21
Members £18

The Italian Cultural Institute is proud to be associated with these screenings celebrating one of the most eclectic Italian intellectuals of his time: not just a film director, but also a writer, poet, journalist, novelist, playwright and political figure. Still loved and admired today, even while his works remain as controversial as ever.