What Was the Controversy About Last Tango in Paris?

By Anna Duncan

In 1972, a film titled “Last Tango in Paris” directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider created a huge controversy that has not been forgotten to this day. The film was initially released in France where it received critical acclaim but was later banned in several countries including Italy, Spain, and even Bertolucci’s home country of Italy. But what exactly was the controversy about?

The Plot
The film revolves around an American widower named Paul (Marlon Brando) who meets a young French woman named Jeanne (Maria Schneider) while looking for an apartment to rent in Paris. They soon begin a sexual relationship that becomes increasingly intense as they meet secretly in an empty apartment without revealing their names or personal details.

The Controversy
The controversy surrounding the film centers on one particular scene where Paul uses butter as a lubricant during a rape scene with Jeanne. The scene caused outrage among audiences and critics alike who accused Bertolucci of exploiting Schneider and subjecting her to psychological abuse during the filming.

In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2007, Schneider revealed that she had felt “humiliated” and “a little raped” during the filming of the scene. She claimed that Bertolucci had sprung the idea on her without telling her beforehand and that Brando had also been unaware of it until just before filming began.

The use of butter as a lubricant was seen by many as crossing a line between simulated sex acts and actual sexual violence, even though there was no penetration depicted on screen. The controversy led to calls for boycotts of the film and protests outside cinemas showing it.

The Aftermath
Bertolucci defended his decision to include the scene, claiming that he wanted to capture the raw emotion of sexual desire without censorship or moral judgment. However, he expressed regret over not informing Schneider about the scene beforehand and acknowledged that it had been a traumatic experience for her.

Despite the controversy, “Last Tango in Paris” remains a landmark film in the history of cinema, known for its daring exploration of taboo subjects and its unflinching portrayal of human sexuality. It is also remembered as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blurring the lines between art and exploitation.

Conclusion
In conclusion, “Last Tango in Paris” was a highly controversial film that sparked debate and outrage over its depiction of sexual violence. While it remains a powerful work of cinema, it has also become a symbol of the ethical dilemmas that arise when artists push boundaries in pursuit of their vision.