Last Tango in Paris

What filmmakers show audiences on screen is usually bad enough but hearing stories of how actresses are abused and treated disrespectfully by male directors and actors is revolting--but not entirely surprising. Information has surfaced about the filming of The Last Tango in Paris (1972), namely about how director Bernardo Bertolucci and Marlon Brando conspired “to film the graphic rape scene without the consent of 19-year-old actor Maria Schneider”[1] in order to get “her reaction as a girl, not as an actress.”[2] Maria Schneider has said that the rape scene was not in the script that was given to her, and the two men did not tell her that 48-year-old Brando would use butter as lubricant to rape her. In an article published in Elle magazine on December 2 (Bertolucci admits he conspired to shoot a non-consensual rape scene in ‘Last Tango in Paris’) Bertolucci is quoted saying that he did not want Maria to act her humiliation, he wanted her to feel the rage and humiliation. He added that Schneider went on to hate him for the rest of her life. One wonders how a man could be so oblivious to women's feelings. Unfortunately, the film industry seems to have its fair share of men who will sacrifice women for their own ends.  

[1] The Guardian, Last Tango in Paris director suggests Maria Schneider ‘butter rape’ scene not consensual, Dec. 4, 2016, Bonnie Malkin

[2] The Guardian, Last Tango in Paris director suggests Maria Schneider ‘butter rape’ scene not consensual, Dec. 4, 2016, Bonnie Malkin

© 2016 Alline Cormier

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