The most famous film by Italian provocateur Marco Ferreri, La grande bouffe was reviled on release for its perversity, decadence and attack on the bourgeoisie yet won the prestigious FIPRESCI prize after its controversial screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Four friends, played by international superstars Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli, Ugo Tognazzi and Philippe Noiret retreat to a country mansion where they determine to eat themselves to death whilst engaging in group sex with prostitutes and a local school teacher, who seems to be up for anything… At once jovial and sinister, the film’s jet-black humour has a further twist as the reputed actors (whose characters use their own names) buck their respectable trend for a descent into fart-filled chaos that delivers a feast for the eyes and mind.
Why is La grande bouffe the film you should watch this week? Listen to this review from Peter Bradshaw at the Guardian to find out:
Please note – there is no post-screening discussion following the screening on Wednesday 8 July. Apologies for any inconvenience.