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Il portiere di notte

The Night Porter | Der Nachtportier
Homage 2019
Source: Deutsche Kinemathek, © LOTAR FILM / ISTITUTO LUCE CINECITTÀ
Lucia Atherton, a concentration camp survivor originally from Austria, is the wife of an American orchestra conductor. In 1957, she recognises the night porter in a Viennese hotel as the SS officer, former Nazi Maximilian Aldorfer, who tormented her in the camp. He in turn immediately recognises the young woman, with whom he had a sado-masochistic relationship when she was a prisoner. They resume their mutually dependent relationship. When a group of ex-Nazis in Vienna starts looking for Lucia in order to eliminate the unwelcome witness to their crimes, Max takes her to his apartment. Gradually, the previous balance of power between the two shifts, while the pursuers lurk outside … Liliana Cavani’s film was banned at the time in Italy. Charlotte Rampling’s provocative poses were among the things deemed scandalous. But it was above all the ambiguity of her character that trigged either objections or fascination. With a short bristle of hair, wearing an SS officer’s cap, long black gloves, and men’s trousers with nothing but the suspenders covering her naked torso, she became an icon of androgynous pop in the 1970s sexual sub-culture.
by Liliana Cavani
with Dirk Bogarde, Charlotte Rampling, Philippe Leroy, Gabriele Ferzetti, Giuseppe Addobbati, Isa Miranda, Nino Bignamini, Marino Masè Italy 1974 English 119’ Colour Rating R16

With

  • Dirk Bogarde
  • Charlotte Rampling
  • Philippe Leroy
  • Gabriele Ferzetti
  • Giuseppe Addobbati
  • Isa Miranda
  • Nino Bignamini
  • Marino Masè

Crew

Director Liliana Cavani
Screenplay Liliana Cavani, Italo Moscati based on a story by Barbara Alberti, Liliana Cavani, Amedeo Pagani
Cinematography Alfio Contini
Editing Franco Arcalli
Music Daniele Paris
Sound Eugenio Rondani, Decio Trani
Production Design Nedo Azzini
Costumes Piero Tosi
Producers Robert Gordon Edwards, Esa de Simone

Photos