Swept Away

PIONEERING FOREIGN WOMEN FILMMAKERS: Swept Away

Lina Wertmueller's wildly provocative, comedic take on class struggles and the battle of the sexes remains one of the defining foreign films in history. When a rich society woman and a ship's servant become marooned on an island, the two initially assume their accustomed relationship with one another. She expects services; he grumbles but plays his role. But soon a revolution takes place and the subjugation is reversed. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean, the film adroitly traces the shifting nuances of their relationship, taking the audience on a wild ride through love, sex, politics and class status, culminating in one of the most poignant endings of all time. Directed by Lina Wertmueller, Italy, 1974, 110 mins.

Discussion led by Reid Schultz

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