Overview

• Pasolini's 'Die 120 Tage von Sodom,' marking its 50th anniversary, remains one of cinema's most controversial works, banned uncut for decades in Germany and beyond.
• The retrospective highlights films like 'Caligula,' whose 2023 'Ultimate Cut' revisited its infamous mix of art and explicit content, and 'Saltburn,' celebrated and criticized for its provocative scenes.
• Ethical controversies, including Maria Schneider's claims of abuse during 'Der letzte Tango in Paris,' underline the ongoing tension between artistic freedom and consent.
• Landmark films such as 'Irreversibel' and 'Antichrist' pushed boundaries with depictions of sexual violence, sparking outrage and walkouts at major premieres like Cannes.
• The retrospective underscores how scandal films have shaped debates on censorship, societal norms, and the limits of cinematic expression over five decades.