The Night Porter(Il portiere di notte)

A tasteless exploitation of real-life horrors, or a nuanced examination into the aberrations of human sexuality? This is the burning question that has divided critics and viewers for five decades over director Liliana Cavani’s international breakthrough film. Set in 1957 Vienna, the film chronicles a sado-masochistic sexual relationship that reignites between a former Nazi officer and one of his former concentration camp captees when they reunite. Depicting sexual obsession and deviant desires in extremely grim circumstances, Cavani’s bold and disturbing vision offers an intriguing alternative to the usual black-and-white depictions of the Holocaust filled with difficult questions. Rather than trying to whitewash evil, Cavani dares us to consider their humanity and leaves the rest for the audience to decide. No wonder Lars von Trier ranks this as one of his favourite films.

12/1 (Sun): Film talk with Lau Yam