La ricotta
Encyclopedia
La ricotta is a short film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
in 1962 and is part of the omnibus film RoGoPaG (AKA Ro.Go.Pa.G.
). It is often considered the most memorable portion of RoGoPaG and the height of Pasolini's creative powers and social criticism.
. The most biting social critique is shown through the main character of Stracci (meaning "rags"). Stracci is a poor and starving man who works as an extra (ironically, the "good thief") who is not given pity or mercy. Stracci tries everything to get something to eat and he finally does. Unfortunately the ricotta cheese he avidly gorges on, combined with the awkward position he's forced to assume while being "crucified" in front of the camera prove a fatal combination and he dies from indigestion.
Stracci represents the poor and the marginalized people, "the ones who hunger for bread" who, according to Pasolini, are neglected by a society, which prides itself on being Christian. Thus, in this view, the Roman Catholicism of Italy is more concerned with status and prominence than helping the poor, a teaching of Christ that Pasolini admired greatly.
The production of the Passion, done outside of Rome, represents a corrupted society who is interested in superficial beauty and yet possesses a corrupted core. This is demonstrated with the extras' lack of interest with the film itself, preferring instead to dance to ya-ya twist music, lying around during break time and tormenting Stracci. This is also demonstrated in the elaborate poses the director has set up, evoking the great Italian Renaissance, particularly of Pontormo and Fiorentino
and yet are far from respected.
, which would be held in high respect by both director and audience. However, Pasolini was accused of holding contempt for the state religion (ironically, charged under a Fascist religious law) and was convicted. His imprisonment was four months and the conviction was later declared void by an appeals court.
DVD available through the Criterion Collection
All essays and excerpts can be found in the booklet accompanying the Mamma Roma
DVD.
Pier Paolo Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, writer, and intellectual. Pasolini distinguished himself as a poet, journalist, philosopher, linguist, novelist, playwright, filmmaker, newspaper and magazine columnist, actor, painter and political figure...
in 1962 and is part of the omnibus film RoGoPaG (AKA Ro.Go.Pa.G.
Ro.Go.Pa.G.
Ro.Go.Pa.G. is a 1963 film, which consists of four segments, each written and directed by one of the four film directors - French Jean-Luc Godard , and three Italian: Ugo Gregoretti , Pier Paolo Pasolini and Roberto Rossellini .The movie title is an...
). It is often considered the most memorable portion of RoGoPaG and the height of Pasolini's creative powers and social criticism.
Plot and Issues
In summary, the film deals with the film production of the Passion of Jesus with a director acting like Pasolini yet played by Orson WellesOrson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
. The most biting social critique is shown through the main character of Stracci (meaning "rags"). Stracci is a poor and starving man who works as an extra (ironically, the "good thief") who is not given pity or mercy. Stracci tries everything to get something to eat and he finally does. Unfortunately the ricotta cheese he avidly gorges on, combined with the awkward position he's forced to assume while being "crucified" in front of the camera prove a fatal combination and he dies from indigestion.
Stracci represents the poor and the marginalized people, "the ones who hunger for bread" who, according to Pasolini, are neglected by a society, which prides itself on being Christian. Thus, in this view, the Roman Catholicism of Italy is more concerned with status and prominence than helping the poor, a teaching of Christ that Pasolini admired greatly.
The production of the Passion, done outside of Rome, represents a corrupted society who is interested in superficial beauty and yet possesses a corrupted core. This is demonstrated with the extras' lack of interest with the film itself, preferring instead to dance to ya-ya twist music, lying around during break time and tormenting Stracci. This is also demonstrated in the elaborate poses the director has set up, evoking the great Italian Renaissance, particularly of Pontormo and Fiorentino
Rosso Fiorentino
Giovanni Battista di Jacopo , known as Rosso Fiorentino , or Il Rosso, was an Italian Mannerist painter, in oil and fresco, belonging to the Florentine school.-Biography:...
and yet are far from respected.
The Film's Controversy
Pasolini, in a disclaimer tacked in the beginning of "La ricotta," affirms that he does not hold the Passion itself in contempt. In fact, he made it at the same time he was making The Gospel According to St. MatthewThe Gospel According to St. Matthew (film)
The Gospel According to St. Matthew is a 1964 Italian film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. It is a retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, from the Nativity through the Resurrection....
, which would be held in high respect by both director and audience. However, Pasolini was accused of holding contempt for the state religion (ironically, charged under a Fascist religious law) and was convicted. His imprisonment was four months and the conviction was later declared void by an appeals court.
Resources
The film is more easily available as a supplement on the Mamma RomaMamma Roma
Mamma Roma is a 1962 film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini.- Story :An ex-prostitute, Mamma Roma , tries to start a new life selling vegetables with her 16-year-old son Ettore...
DVD available through the Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection is a video-distribution company selling "important classic and contemporary films" to film aficionados. The Criterion series is noted for helping to standardize the letterbox format for home video, bonus features, and special editions...
- "Pasolini, Mamma Roma and 'La ricotta'" by Gary Indiana
- Pasolini by Enzo Sicilano
- Pasolini on Pasolini, interviews by Oswald Stacks
All essays and excerpts can be found in the booklet accompanying the Mamma Roma
Mamma Roma
Mamma Roma is a 1962 film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini.- Story :An ex-prostitute, Mamma Roma , tries to start a new life selling vegetables with her 16-year-old son Ettore...
DVD.