Swept Away
Remote and mysterious, whether hostile or enticing, infernal microcosms or dreamed worlds, islands have long captivated the imaginations of filmmakers. By their very isolated nature, they often serve as metaphoric or literal settings of loss and introspection, inviting exploration and oblivion. Enclosed by water, they provide ideal backdrops for intimate dramas and intense adventures, their geography shaping the narrative. As many real-world islands face existential threats, we invite you to explore a few fictional isles where cinema has found its enchanting refuge along the shore.
Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean, Swept Away is Lina Wertmüller's most famous and controversial film about sex, love and politics. On an elegant yacht cruising off the coast of Sardinia, Raffaella (Mariangela Melato), a rich and stunning capitalist, enjoys tormenting Gennarino (Giancarlo Giannini), a Communist sailor. Fate weaves a different scenario and roles become reversed when the two find themselves stranded together on a deserted island. Raffaella must submit to Gennarino in order to survive, which culminates in a dramatic climax when they are rescued. They must determine if their love can survive the harsh realities of civilization.
Lina Wertmüller
Lina Wertmüller is an Italian screenwriter and film director. She gained prominence in the 1970s for her satirical films, including The Seduction of Mimi, Love and Anarchy, which earned Giancarlo Giannini the Best Actor Award at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, Swept Away, and Seven Beauties. The latest allowed Wertmüller to make cinema history by becoming the first woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Following this success, she directed A Night Full of Rain, a Canadian-Italian production, and Blood Feud in 1978, before taking a hiatus from filmmaking. Wertmüller returned in 1983 with a comedy, followed by her only entirely dramatic work, Camorra, in 1986. Throughout her career, she continued to direct, occasionally working in television and creating films that combined humor with social commentary. In recognition of her lifetime achievements, she received an Academy Honorary Award in 2019.
