Fourth session of the film programme Um Filme Falado: Os Temas de Oliveira, with conception and moderation by Anabela Mota Ribeiro. This film programme is dedicated to several themes which are present in Manoel de Oliveira's oevre. This film session addresses the theme Woman, with the screening of Pier Paolo Pasolini's Mamma Roma (1962), followed by a conversation with actress Beatriz Batarda and writer Pedro Mexia, moderated by Anabela Mota Ribeiro.

WOMAN

15 JUN | SÁB | 17h00

MAMMA ROMA

Pier Paolo Pasolini | ITA | 1962 | 106’

With: Beatriz Batarda (actress) and Pedro Mexia (writer)

Pier Paolo Pasolini's second feature still retains several neorealist principles which were prevalent in his initial work. Aside Anna Magnani's lead role, Mamma Roma features mainly non-professional actors, and builds up a critique to society and to the environment of post-war Italy, in a similar way to Acattone (1961). Magnani plays a middle-aged prostitute trying to quit her way of life to ensure a better future for her teenage son. This becomes more difficult by the reappearing of Carmine, her former pimp. During its premier in the Venice Film Festival, Mamma Roma received a police complaint for being "contrary to public dencency" and "offensive to good morals". By exploring uncomfortable themes, Pasolini turns Mamma Roma into a full-frontal reflection on the female condition in the Italian post-war period.