Pigsty
Pigsty

Pigsty

1969Movie99 minItalian

Two dramatic stories. In an undetermined past, a young cannibal (who killed his own father) is condemned to be torn to pieces by some wild beasts. In the second story, Julian, the young son of a post-war German industrialist, is on the way to lie down with his farm's pigs, because he doesn't like human relationships.

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Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Pier Paolo PasoliniGenres: Drama, Satire

Plot Summary

The film is divided into two distinct, allegorical parts. The first part presents a surreal, nightmarish landscape where a young man, disillusioned and starving, resorts to cannibalism among a tribe of people who worship a volcanic god and consume human flesh. The second part shifts to a more conventional, though still satirical, setting, depicting a wealthy industrialist who becomes disgusted with his bourgeois existence and chooses to become a pig, retreating to a life of primal simplicity.

Critical Reception

Pier Paolo Pasolini's 'Pigsty' is a challenging and provocative work that divided critics upon its release. Its allegorical nature and confrontational themes were lauded by some for their intellectual depth and artistic ambition, while others found it obscure, overly grotesque, or nihilistic. It remains a significant, albeit controversial, entry in Pasolini's filmography, noted for its sharp critique of consumerism and bourgeois society.

What Reviewers Say

  • A deeply allegorical and disturbing examination of societal decay and spiritual emptiness.
  • Pasolini's unique, confrontational style creates a visually striking, if intellectually demanding, experience.
  • Praised for its bold critique of modern capitalism and bourgeois values, but criticized for its graphic and often impenetrable narrative.

Google audience: Audience reception information is limited, but the film is generally recognized as a niche arthouse film that appeals to viewers interested in philosophical and avant-garde cinema.

Fun Fact

The film's controversial themes and graphic imagery led to significant censorship and debate in many countries upon its release.

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