Love Meetings (1965)

Armed with a microphone and a fervor for truth, Pier Paolo Pasolini embarks on a quest through the heart of Italy, engaging its inhabitants in a dialogue about one of humanity's oldest fascinations: sex. From the innocence of children, still grappling with the concept of birth, to women of all ages questioning their standing next to men, Pasolini delves into the depths of societal views on virginity, homosexuality, the intricate ties between sex and honor, and the controversial topics of divorce and the possible closure of brothels under the Merlina Act. Throughout this thought-provoking journey, Pasolini seeks the counsel of renowned figures like Alberto Moravia and Cesare Musatti, while with an undertone of judgment, he challenges the responses of those he interviews, revealing Bersani's intrusive nature. Love Meetings presents a bold thesis: Despite the rapid economic growth of post-war Italy, the nation's perceptions of sex remain trapped in the past. The attitudes swing between the extremes of the rigidly medieval mindset, found predominantly in the less affluent and southern parts of the country, and the confused self-censorship exhibited by the bourgeoisie and the northern regions. The movie is a vivid exploration of these paradoxical attitudes, painting a compelling portrait of a nation caught between tradition and modernity.

Love Meetings is a documentary movie featuring Lello Bersani.

Love Meetings is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Love Meetings on Amazon Video.