Paras
Paras

Movie spotlight

Paras

1971
Movie
147 min
Hindi

Dharam Singh is a honest farmer in rural India, and lives with his sister, Bela, who is now of marriageable age. One day both brother and sister witness a murder, and haul the killer to the...

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic96
Google Users87%
Director: Bernardo BertolucciGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In 1938, Marcello Clerici, a Fascist official, agrees to undertake a mission to assassinate his former university professor, an outspoken anti-fascist living in exile in Paris. As Marcello travels to Paris with his wife, he becomes entangled in a complex web of political intrigue and personal desire, blurring the lines between ideology, love, and betrayal. The film explores his internal struggles and the moral compromises he makes under the oppressive regime.

Critical Reception

Widely regarded as a masterpiece of political cinema and a landmark of 1970s filmmaking, 'The Conformist' received widespread critical acclaim for its stunning visual style, profound thematic depth, and masterful direction. It is celebrated for its exploration of fascism, conformity, and human psychology, leaving a lasting impact on cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking cinematography and evocative mise-en-scène.

  • Hailed as a profound and unsettling examination of political and personal compromise.

  • Cited for its complex portrayal of a man caught between ideology and desire.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise the film's stunning visual artistry and its thought-provoking exploration of fascism and conformity. Many find the narrative deeply engaging and the performances compelling, though some note its complex themes can be challenging.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography.

Fun Fact

The iconic staircase scene, where Marcello walks up the stairs backward while his wife walks down, was filmed at the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Rome.

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