Satyricon.

(1969)

128 min./Italy | France/Latin | Italian

Director: Federico Fellini.

Plot Summary:

In first century Rome, two student friends, Encolpio and Ascilto, argue about ownership of the boy Gitone, divide their belongings and split up. The boy, allowed to choose who he goes with, chooses Ascilto. Only a sudden earthquake saves Encolpio from suicide. We follow Encolpio through a series of adventures, where he is eventually reunited with Ascilto, and which culminates in them helping a man kidnap a hermaphrodite demi-god from a temple. The god dies, and as punishment Encolpio becomes impotent. We then follow them in search of a cure. The film is loosely based on the book Satyricon by Gaius Petronius Arbiter, the "Arbiter of Elegance" in the court of Nero. The book has only survived in fragments, and the film reflects this by being very fragmentary itself, even stopping in mid-sentence.

Awards:

1] Academy Awards, USA, 1971: Nominated:Oscar:Best Director.

2] Golden Globes, USA, 1970: Nominated:Golden Globe Best Foreign-Language Foreign Film

3] Laurel Awards, 1971: 2nd place Golden Laurel: Best Foreign Film.

4] Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists, 1970: Silver Ribbon: Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Supporting Actor.