R.I.P. Bernardo Bertolucci (1941-2018)

Bernardo Bertolucci

On November 26, 2018, writer and director Bernardo Bertolucci died at the age of 77 in Rome, Italy. Over the course of his career he has been a big part of the Italian film movement with such projects as The Conformist, 1900, and The Dreamers. He also directed The Last Emperor, which also won Best Picture at the Oscars. Considering that he has been known to stick his political views into his films, his work has often been charged with undertones of social changes and a need to better society. He has also been a figure of controversy because of this, and he leaves behind a body of work that is audacious by nature. Whatever the case may be, his films speak for itself, leaving behind the portrait of a passionate artist and someone who wanted to make a difference.

Bertolucci was born on March 16, 1941 in Parma, Italy. He was raised in an artistic environment and was encouraged to pursue the arts. He attended the University of Rome to pursue poetry. His first prize was the Premio Viareggio for his first book. His father worked with filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, who in return hired Bernardo as a first assistant on his 1961 film Accattone. From that moment on, Bertolucci and Pasolini would work together on various projects throughout the subsequent decades. At the age of 22, he directed his first film called La commare secca (1962). The rest of his career continued to bloom after that, though would include a lull period in the 70's due to Italian productions having to co-produce with companies from America, Sweden, France, and Germany. This was due to a recession of the Italian film industry that could've hurt his career.

One of his biggest breakouts was the 1972 film Last Tango in Paris, starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider. While the film was critically acclaimed, it also became the victim of controversy due to its use of sex in the film. In one notorious scene, Brando anally rapes Schneider with butter. Bertolucci is adamant that Schneider knew about the violent nature of the film, but that this act was unannounced to get a more natural reaction. The film would become banned in certain countries for its sexual content and remains problematic to this day. Schneider in particular has noted that she felt violated by the performance and has since pursued a career in women's rights in the film industry. The conflict as to whether it was deemed actual rape was an issue that loomed far into Bertolucci's life, even leading to a note in 2016 where he denied that it was.

After a career that included the epic 1900, his next big movie was The Last Emperor, which centered around the last emperor of China, Aisin-Gioro Puyi. It depicted the change of China through a man dethroned from his position of power. It was the first film ever to be filmed in the People's Republic of China. The film would become a critical success, earning nine Oscar nominations. The film would go on to win all of the categories, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Bertolucci. 

His career would continue, though he wouldn't really have another shot at the Oscars. He would continue to receive various honors for his work throughout the decades, including a Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2007. His last film was in 2012 with Me and You. As of Spring 2018, he was planning on doing another film in the vein of Michelangelo Antonioni. Beyond that, his personal life has been mired in recent controversy, especially his public support for defamed director Roman Polanski. As a result, his lengthy career full of impressive heights is once again mired in controversy and division that makes him a tough figure to fully appreciate. Still, he leaves behind a large body of work with plenty to scrutinize over. Love him or hate him, he was passionate about film and he made a difference.