Pier Paolo Pasolini 1922-1975

One of the most outstanding, enigmatic characters of the European intelligentsia in the latter half of the twentieth century, Pier Paolo Pasolini holds an important place in Western cultural history, particularly the history of the 1960s. As the author of poetry in the local language of his Italian province, as well of novels and theoretical essays, and as the director of remarkable films, and also as a graphic artist and painter, Pasolini concentrated on timeless, archaic themes: the fate of humanity, peasant life, religion, sexuality, death. By moving outside of accepted norms, and by creating images of extraordinary clarity and focus on the subjects of religion, sex and politics, he became one of the greatest provocateurs in Italian society. Pasolini and Death, published in commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of his death, provides insight into his moral concepts and ideals through his essays, films, drawings and paintings. One of the provocative propositions raised here is that, from an early point, Pasolini's understanding of art and his worldview carried within them the idea of violent death, and that he might have consciously sought that fate--sought out the circumstances in which he was murdered--in order to reconcile his life and work. Following the 2005 retraction of a central suspect's confession, the Rome police have reopened his case.