Pasolini replaces de Sade’s aristocracy with fascist collaborators. He argues that absolute power—whether political or economic—turns human beings into commodities. The sexual acts are not erotic; they are transactional, bureaucratic, and cold. The line "The only thing that interests me is absolute freedom" is spoken by a monster who defines freedom as the power to destroy.
“The only way to truly understand the 20th century’s capacity for evil is to stare into a void that stares back. Pasolini forces you to do that for 117 minutes.” — Anonymous critic.
In the UK, the film was initially banned by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and it wasn't until 2001 that it was re-released, albeit with significant cuts. Similarly, in Australia, the film was initially banned, and it wasn't until 2014 that it was re-released, again with significant cuts.
Pasolini replaces de Sade’s aristocracy with fascist collaborators. He argues that absolute power—whether political or economic—turns human beings into commodities. The sexual acts are not erotic; they are transactional, bureaucratic, and cold. The line "The only thing that interests me is absolute freedom" is spoken by a monster who defines freedom as the power to destroy.
“The only way to truly understand the 20th century’s capacity for evil is to stare into a void that stares back. Pasolini forces you to do that for 117 minutes.” — Anonymous critic. salo or 120 days of sodom movie
In the UK, the film was initially banned by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and it wasn't until 2001 that it was re-released, albeit with significant cuts. Similarly, in Australia, the film was initially banned, and it wasn't until 2014 that it was re-released, again with significant cuts. The line "The only thing that interests me