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Home / Entertainment

Director of Last Tango in Paris admits the film's rape scene was non-consensual

news.com.au
5 Dec, 2016 05:30 AM4 mins to read

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A scene from Last Tango in Paris.

A scene from Last Tango in Paris.

WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may upset some readers.

When 19-year old French actress Maria Schneider was cast to star alongside 48-year old Marlon Brando for Last Tango in Paris, the movie was always going to be a controversial one.

The rape scene within the film is still to this day regarded as one of the most confronting and realistic of all time.

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In a recently resurfaced video with the film's director Bernardo Bertolucci, the Italian admitted the controversial rape scene was done without Schneider's consent.

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Bertolucci explained how he wanted the scene, where Brando uses butter as a lubricant to rape Schneider, to be as realistic as possible.

Due to this desire, Brando and the director conspired to not tell Schneider so her reaction would be "as a girl, not an actress".

"We were having, with Marlon [Brando], breakfast on the floor of the flat where I was shooting," he said.

"There was a baguette, there was butter and we looked at each other and, without saying anything, we knew what we wanted," he said.

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Most denounced the sex scene and the entire powerfully erotic movie as obscene.

Chris Evans and Anna Kendrick exchanged messages on Twitter with Evans saying "they should be in jail".

Wow. I will never look at this film, Bertolucci or Brando the same way again. This is beyond disgusting. I feel rage https://t.co/uvaLogvv7I

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 3, 2016

Ms Schneider stated this several years ago. I used to get eye-rolls when I brought it up to people (aka dudes).

— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) December 3, 2016

had no idea. Woulda felt rage then too. They should be in jail.

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 3, 2016

I don't doubt it. It wasn't treated like a big story then(shocker). Glad at least it will be taken seriously now

— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) December 3, 2016

Jessica Chastain also denounced the erotic film.

To all the people that love this film- you're watching a 19yr old get raped by a 48yr old man. The director planned her attack. I feel sick. https://t.co/qVDom2gYf6

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) December 3, 2016

Bertolucci, who is now 76, said in the 2013 interview he "didn't want Maria to act her humiliation and her rage, I wanted her to feel her rage and humiliation".

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When asked if he regretted filming the scene the way he did, Bertolucci simply replied "no, but I do feel guilty".

Following the release of the 1972 movie, the young French actress struggled with addiction and overdoses and even attempted suicide.

In an interview with the Daily Mail back in 2006, Schneider tragically admitted to the manipulation.

"I was too young to know better. Marlon later said that he felt manipulated, and he was Marlon Brando, so you can imagine how I felt," she said.

In filming the scene, "Marlon said to me: 'Maria, don't worry, it's just a movie,' but during the scene, even though what Marlon was doing wasn't real, I was crying real tears.

"I felt humiliated and to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci. After the scene, Marlon didn't console me or apologise. Thankfully, there was just one take," she said.

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In early 2011 the 58-year old passed away from cancer.

Two years after her death, Bertolucci gave the interview admitting when the movie finished they never saw each other because "she was hating me."

Brando, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 80 was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film as well as Bertolucci for directing.

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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