The Spider’s Stratagem

It is 1970. Bernardo Bertolucci and his very young crew—most of them barely in their thirties—are working on an adaptation of Jorge Luis Borges’s intricate short story The Theme of the Traitor and the Hero for Italian television. After an intriguing debut (The Grim Reaper), several documentaries, and an attempt to grapple with the events of 1968 (Partner), this seemingly secondary project proves to be a turning point. From this moment on, nothing will be the same—for Bertolucci or for Italian cinema. The freedom of cinematic language displayed in The Spider’s Stratagem—today almost unimaginable—would become a model for a new way of making films in the 1970s: consciously bold, stubborn, and poetic. The cinematography and lighting (Vittorio Storaro), editing (Roberto Perpignani), and set design (Maria Paola Maino) resonate in a unique and unrepeatable way, allowing Borges’s themes to echo through countless inspirations. The Conformist, Last Tango in Paris, and 1900 would continue this unexpected and exemplary creative adventure. The restored version of The Spider’s Stratagem is both a masterpiece and a tribute to that passionate, formative film era.

Stanisław Bardadin

Bernardo Bertolucci (1941–2018) – Italian poet, director, and screenwriter, and one of the most influential figures in European cinema in the second half of the 20th century. In his films, he explored themes such as politics, sexuality, and identity, provoking audiences and challenging social taboos. His work combined intellectual reflection with a sophisticated visual style – extended takes, symbolic color palettes, and epic mise-en-scène. Films such as The Conformist and Last Tango in Paris brought him international acclaim, while The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, confirming his stature in world cinema.

section partner

section partner