Movie of the Year: 1971The ConformistRevisiting The Conformist (1971) – Power and Identity in Italian Cinema

In this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Nate take on Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (1971), a visual and psychological masterpiece that defined the aesthetics of 1970s cinema. Through its haunting beauty and moral ambiguity, The Conformist examines how a man’s need to belong leads him down a path of destruction.

As the Taste Buds explore, Bertolucci’s film is more than a political allegory—it’s an intimate portrait of repression, desire, and the fragile nature of identity.

Bertolucci’s The Conformist and the Politics of Style

Few filmmakers balance ideology and artistry as masterfully as Bernardo Bertolucci. The Taste Buds discuss how his direction turns politics into visual poetry, using color, shadow, and architecture to mirror the internal lives of his characters.

Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro creates a world of geometric perfection and emotional chaos, where fascist Italy becomes both stage and metaphor. Every shot in The Conformist (1971) is deliberate—an expression of control, guilt, and the terror of individual thought in a conformist world.

(Learn more about Bertolucci’s visual approach on Criterion’s Bertolucci essay.)

Marcello Clerici: The Psychology of Fascism

At the center of The Conformist is Marcello Clerici, portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant with quiet dread. Marcello longs to fit in, to appear normal, to bury the parts of himself that don’t conform. His fear of difference drives him toward fascism—not out of conviction, but out of insecurity.

Ryan, Greg, and Nate explore how Marcello’s repression and guilt become political acts. His story reveals how ordinary people become instruments of ideology—not through belief, but through cowardice and the seductive comfort of belonging.

Anna and Giulia: Women, Desire, and Rebellion

The women of The Conformist (1971)—Anna (Dominique Sanda) and Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli)—represent opposing forces in Marcello’s life and Italy’s cultural psyche. Anna is sharp, enigmatic, and politically aware—a woman whose defiance threatens to unravel Marcello’s carefully constructed identity. Giulia is complacent, beautiful, and submissive, embodying the illusion of safety and control.

The Taste Buds analyze how Bertolucci frames both women as agents of desire and symbols of rebellion, showing that even within oppressive systems, resistance can take many forms—some loud, others quietly devastating.

Guest Spotlight: Nate Ragolia from Debut Buddies

This episode features special guest Nate Ragolia, co-host of the hit podcast Debut Buddies. Known for celebrating pop-culture firsts—from debut albums to first films—Nate brings his trademark blend of insight and humor to The Conformist (1971). His deep appreciation for cinema’s evolution adds a new dimension to the discussion, connecting Bertolucci’s exploration of identity and conformity to the creative risks artists still face today.

🎧 Check out Debut Buddies wherever you get podcasts to hear Nate’s take on the beginnings of cultural phenomena.

FAQ: The Conformist (1971) Explained

Who directed The Conformist (1971)?

Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci directed The Conformist, adapting it from Alberto Moravia’s novel of the same name.

What is The Conformist about?

It follows Marcello Clerici, a man who joins Mussolini’s secret police to suppress his individuality and appear “normal.” The film exposes how repression breeds complicity.

Why is The Conformist (1971) significant?

Its groundbreaking cinematography, psychological complexity, and political insight make it one of the most influential European films of the 20th century.

Who plays Anna and Giulia in The Conformist?

Dominique Sanda portrays Anna, while Stefania Sandrelli plays Giulia—two women representing freedom and conformity, respectively.

Conclusion: Why The Conformist Still Matters

Over half a century later, The Conformist (1971) stands as a defining work of European art cinema. With Bertolucci’s meticulous vision, Marcello’s haunting moral conflict, and the unforgettable performances of Anna and Giulia, the film remains a powerful warning against complacency and moral blindness.

🎧 Listen now to hear Ryan, Greg, and Nate from Debut Buddies dissect The Conformist (1971)—its beauty, its brutality, and its lingering relevance. Subscribe to Movie of the Year, leave a review, and email your thoughts to [email protected]. Because even in a world of conformity, great movies dare to stand apart.