Recently, while scrolling through Twitter, I stumbled upon a trending topic. The topic was the 1971 film, "Last Tango in Paris." This film starred a young Maria Schneider, aged 19, alongside Marlon Brando, aged 48.
Their ages weren't the topic trending, however. Something much more disturbing was the reason this old movie was beginning to resurface. Director, Bernardo Bertolucci, recently discussed, in an interview in 2013, the movie's controversial rape scene. Disgustingly, Bertolucci nonchalantly mentioned that this rape scene was not consensual.
Let me repeat that for you one more time. This movie's rape scene was NOT consensual.
I know, disgusting. But do you want to know something else shocking? Actress Maria Schneider had already come forward years before this, claiming, "I felt humiliated and to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci. After the scene, Marlon didn’t console me or apologize. Thankfully, there was just one take."
Her comments were brushed off and ignored. No one seemed to give them a second thought. But this country doesn't have a rape culture, right? Wrong.
Bertolucci defended his actions, saying, “I didn’t want Maria to act her humiliation, her rage,” he said. “I wanted Maria to feel, not to act, the rage and humiliation. Then she hated me for her whole life.”
Remember, sex NEEDS to be consensual. For both parties. No matter what.
To hear more about this, and to see Bertolucci's full interview, check out this article from variety.com:
