Maladolescenza

Watch Maladolescenza

  • TV-MA
  • 1977
  • 2 hr 7 min
  • 5.6  (2,350)

Maladolescenza is a controversial Italian film released in 1977, directed by Pier Giuseppe Murgia. The movie is known for its contentious subject matter, which has sparked debate and uproar since its release. The film stars a young trio of actors: Martin Loeb, Lara Wendel, and Eva Ionesco, who were all adolescents at the time of filming. Due to its sensitive content, Maladolescenza has faced censorship issues, legal challenges, and has been the subject of moral debates in several countries.

The film is set in an idyllic and seemingly timeless forest, where the main characters, two young teenagers named Fabrizio (Martin Loeb) and Laura (Lara Wendel), spend their days. They are at a peculiar stage of life, situated at the delicate threshold between the innocence of childhood and the awakening sensuality of adolescence. The film explores their evolving relationship as they engage in a series of games which, as the film progresses, become increasingly daring and sexually suggestive.

Fabrizio, the male protagonist, is portrayed as a somewhat domineering figure who is beginning to express his emerging masculinity and sexuality. He is curious, bold, and sometimes cruel in his treatment of Laura, who seems to both adore and fear him. Laura, on the other hand, is depicted as a young girl on the verge of womanhood, conflicted between her attachment to the innocent play of childhood and the new, complex feelings that Fabrizio's advances awaken in her.

The relative peace of their world is disrupted by the arrival of a third character, Sylvia (Eva Ionesco), a girl around their age who becomes an object of fascination and competition between the two friends. Sylvia's presence intensifies the dynamics already at play and forces a reconfiguration of Fabrizio and Laura's relationship. Sylvia's character is mysterious and provocative, and her interactions with both Fabrizio and Laura add layers of complexity to the film's exploration of jealousy, desire, and the power struggles inherent in emerging sexuality.

Maladolescenza's cinematography captures the ethereal beauty of the forest setting, which serves as a character in its own right – a place of enchantment, detached from the adult world and its constraints. The camera work emphasizes the isolation of the characters, with long shots that highlight their smallness in the vastness of the natural world, while also exploring the intimacy of their exchanges through close-ups that capture the delicate shifts in emotion and desire.

The narrative unfolds in a dreamlike manner, lacking a traditional plot structure, which allows the film to focus on the psychological and emotional journey of its characters more than on a conventional storyline. The games played by the trio become metaphors for the power play and coming-of-age struggles they are each experiencing. The interactions between the characters are charged with an unsettling mixture of affection, cruelty, exploration, and manipulation, all elements that serve to paint a vivid picture of the tumultuous transition from childhood to adolescence.

The director, Murgia, employs a minimalistic approach with respect to dialogue, thereby placing greater emphasis on visual storytelling and the nuanced performances of his young cast. The actors deliver raw and unsettling depictions of their characters, often without words, which adds to the film's provocative nature. Their performances contribute significantly to the discomforting atmosphere, making the viewer a silent witness to the children’s games that border on the taboo.

It is important to note that Maladolescenza has been the subject of intense controversy, not just for its themes, but also because of the explicit nature of some scenes involving underage actors. The film raises questions about the ethics of filming certain content with minors and the responsibility of filmmakers in their portrayal of sensitive subject matter. As a result, it has been banned or heavily edited in various jurisdictions and is subject to ongoing debate within film criticism and censorship discussions.

Maladolescenza operates both as a cinematic exploration of the loss of innocence and the confusion that accompanies sexual awakening, and as a conversation piece about the boundaries of artistic expression and the protection of children. While it can be acknowledged as a piece of cinematic history reflective of the less restrictive attitudes of the 1970s European film industry, it continues to be an example of cinema that challenges the audience to confront uncomfortable realities and the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood. The film remains a divisive piece of art that, for better or worse, has left a mark on the history of controversial cinema.

Maladolescenza
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Description
  • Release Date
    1977
  • MPAA Rating
    TV-MA
  • Runtime
    2 hr 7 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.6  (2,350)