Friday februari 8

When Maladolescenza came out, it was immediately decried as child pornography and the film was banned or heavily cut in many countries. This film is still legal with an X certificate in Austria, but was recently re-declared banned in Germany on July 28th 2006. This is definitely one of the most sought after and controversial cult films of the 70s.

A chamber play with 3 characters (2 twelve year old girls and a slightly older boy) who create a cruel "menage a trois" with a dramatic and fatal outcome. This is a film about jealousy, erotic obsession and how sex is translated into emotional power. The blunt Lolita-like sexuality of the children, mixed with the cruelty of childhood, all shot with a picturesque cinematography all adds up to a volatile cocktail that keeps this film banned throughout the world.

Lets listen to what some others have said about the film:

1)This movie is definitely a masterpiece. Granted, it shows its age in the props, and the style the characters dress. Still it is a beautiful picture, with very atmospheric camera work, and a fitting soundtrack that ranges from beautiful to unnerving, even disturbing.

The three kids in the plot are the only characters in this movie. They have to carry the whole movie, which makes their performance even more impressive. Lara Wendel is great in her portrayal of Laura, the innocent, naive 12-year old. You just can't help but feel sorry for the poor little thing. Eva Ionesco while being a beautiful girl, plays the part of the arrogant, cruel, manipulative Sylvia with perfection. As for Martin Loeb, his accurate portrayal of the sadistic punk ruined his career and he was only able to make one more film after this.

After watching this movie, I understood why it is one of the most controversial ones around. The theme of cruelty between kids, and the sexual awakening of adolescents is very dangerous territory to tread on. Still it shows that adolescents and teenagers are not the innocent angels that many adults like to think they are (as I had to find out the hard way), and it does so very well.

2) Often beautiful at a visual level, poignant on its directorial style, joyful but nostalgic at the same time, and ultimately a satisfactory experience for the all-rounded, open-minded viewer.

You may love this movie, you may hate it, or you may simply end up wondering what's all the controversy about and why is it still banned or heavily censored in certain so-called "advanced" countries.

Not only because it's a centerpiece both of cinema styles and social perspectives in change and of its own author's career and I dare say, personal life, but also because it's one of those rare, last standing moments of sheer honesty which are representative of a bygone era, and indirectly also representative of how close-minded and hypocrite our western world has become in the past two decades, in direct contrast with what should be expected from a society which repeatedly acknowledges itself as the most "advanced" - making it all the more ironic that this simple but interesting movie IS, after all, all about the loss of innocence and youth.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8

DOLLEMOL
Spoormakerstraat 52  Brussels
Time: 20:00
Entrance- FREE

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