Bertolucci's The Conformist

A detailed Summary of Bertolucci's The Conformist

Bertolucci's The Conformist is most notably a cautionary tale that emphasizes the bleak reality of fascism and it's effect on society. In accordance with the social realm, Bertolucci draws a picture of the moral consequences of being enveloped by this ideology. Fascism was so effective because it crossed the boundaries of class structure and drew the individual closer with false hopes. Marcello who becomes part of this organization face a multitude of mental dilemmas, but is ultimately a prisoner to the regime. Along with the Conformist are Taviani's Night of the Shooting Stars and The Battle of Algiers by Sartre. All three of these films serve have very unique styles, but focus on the morality and its congruence with the current political situation of the present. All three of these movies gain their strength by playing with the viewers mind and opening up their eyes to reality. They have no choice but to become aware of the moral and political conflicts of the film. "And when I say that I want to make the public leave with a sense of malaise, perhaps feeling the presence of something obscurely sinister, it's because I want them to realize that however the world has changed feelings have remaine

Marcello who is the main focus of this piece, is a member of an upper class Roman family that is very dysfunctional. His crumbling family situation is directly connected to the state Italy was in at the time. The head of this instability is Mussolini who could give only false promises to secure his position. Italy was divided at its core and this lead to a very turbulent political situation. An encounter with a pedophile as a young boy throws his mental state into unrest and he is forever trying to escape. To do so he complies to the social norms of the time and attempts to shed his deviancy. He marries a woman who is below his class, it is obvious by doing this that he is not at all trying to challenge himself. He volunteers his service t the regime and becomes part of the counter intelligence movement. This movement specializes in hunting down those who are in opposition to the regime. Marcello does not join because he is a fervent believer of the cause, but rather to become part of a group hidden from the spotlight. Marcello must now go to Paris and assassinate his old professor. Professor Quadri is a leader of an under ground anti-Fascist group. The professor is such a key element because he was Marcello's thesis advisor and served as his all knowing mentor. He left due to the turmoil of the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Algiers Sartre, North Africa, Bertolucci's Conformist, Prof Quadri, Professor Quadri, Paris Marcello, Marcello Paris, Political Science, political situation, forever trying,

Approximate Word count = 886
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Bertolucci's The Conformist

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