Watch Struggle in Italy

Struggle in Italy is an Italian drama film from 1971 directed by the renowned filmmaker, Pier Paolo Pasolini. The movie was highly controversial for its depiction of left-wing revolutionary groups in Italy during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The story showcases the struggles of Antonio and Camilla - two young leftist militants who were fighting against the established order in Italy. The film was a highly political work that attacked the bourgeoisie and capitalism as the root cause of Italian state tyranny.

The movie opens with an extreme close-up shot of Antonio and Camilla's faces, who are introduced as two of the key protagonists. They are shown smoking cigarettes and discussing the difficulties they face in their daily lives as working-class militants. The storyline then shifts to a local factory where workers are being exploited by their bosses. We witness Antonio and Camilla's efforts to organize the workers to demand better working conditions and pay. These scenes show Pasolini's critique of the capitalist system and how it oppresses the working class, which was a prevalent theme in his films throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.

As the movie progresses, we are introduced to other leftist groups who are actively involved in the Italian revolutionary movement. These groups are shown carrying out acts of vandalism, bombing government buildings, and assassinating political figures. The film also depicts the sexual revolution of the late 1960s, with Antonio and Camilla engaging in a passionate love affair, which is shown as an integral part of the larger revolutionary struggle.

Struggle in Italy's political message was highly controversial upon its release, as it delivered a passionate critique of Italian society and the political establishment. Pasolini's visual and storytelling style was especially polarising to the Italian audience, with many seeing it as an attack on their timeless values, especially the portrayal of sexuality in the film. The sexually explicit depictions in the film, which included nudity and scenes of sexual violence, caused outrage among more conservative sections of the Italian population, with many calling for the movie to be banned.

The film is shot in black and white, which adds to the gritty realism of the narrative. The actors deliver outstanding performances, especially Cristiana Tullio-Altan and Paolo Pozzesi, who play the leading roles of Camilla and Antonio, respectively. Their performances capture the despair and anger that the youth of Italy felt during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 70s.

Overall, Struggle in Italy is a powerful and thought-provoking film that showcases the desperation and frustration of the youth in Italy during a turbulent period characterised by political violence, police brutality, and economic inequality. Pasolini's filmic style and storytelling techniques are masterful in capturing the political, social, and personal struggles of its characters, making it a definitive work of Italian cinema.