DIRECTOR: Vittorio De Sica
“The Garden of the Finzi-Continis”: Directed by Vittorio De Sica, “The Garden of the Finzi Continis” is based on the semi-autobiographical novel by gay Italian writer Giorgio Bassani. Alberto, is the scion of a wealthy Jewish family in Fascist Italy. The film contrasts his sheltered life inside their garden with the growing persecution outside. Alberto is played by gay actor Helmut Berger fresh from Visconti’s “The Damned” and it’s a very different performance – brooding understatement contrasting with Marlene in drag.
WINNER BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM 1971
Alberto is reserved and shy, and clearly in love with his friend Malnate, a young man with imposing physicality and communist leanings, played by Fabio Testi, and he delights in his company. He even reacts jealously when he senses that his sister Micol (Dominique Sanda) and Malnate may be getting closer. Will Alberto’s love be reciprocated? Of course, the Finzi Contini’s are living on borrowed time. Beyond their wall-off compound, the Jews of Mussolini’s Italy are being rounded up with an express ticket to the concentration camps.
Oscar-nominated adapted screenplay by De Sica and Ugo Pirro.
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Seventy Queer Films Made Under the Hays Code (1934-1967)
https://thebrownees.net/seventy-queer-films-of-the-new-hollywood-1967-1981
