Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom

Year: 1975

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini

Rotten Tomatoes: 71%

Plot: In fascist Italy during World War II, four powerful men imprison a group of young people and subject them to an escalating series of torture, humiliation, and degradation. Pasolini uses extreme cruelty as a political allegory about fascism, power, and the dehumanization of people.

Marcela Notes: I remember when I Luv Video was still on Airport, they would hide this DVD One of the most difficult and repulsive movies I have ever sat through. It took me days to fully watch this. LOTS of torture and poop eating and children molesting. Yes. I didn't smoke at the time, but I felt like I needed to go outside and smoke a cig about every 10 minutes of watching. Keep in mind this is in the Criterion Collection. And because I'm a freak, I went out and bought the book it was based on afterward, The 120 Days of Sodom by the Marquis De Sade. Honestly, just go Google around a bit if you're intrigued. I cannot recommend the movie unless you just simply need to watch it like I did. 

Fun Fact: Pasolini actually filmed four different endings because he wasn't sure how he wanted the film to conclude. Also, despite the movie's horrific subject matter, actress Hélène Surgère said the atmosphere on set was surprisingly cheerful, with the young cast even playing practical jokes on one another.