The notorious final film from Pier Paolo Pasolini, SALÓ, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM has been called nauseating, shocking, depraved, pornographic . . . It’s also a masterpiece. The controversial poet, novelist, and filmmaker’s transposition of the Marquis de Sade’s eighteenth-century opus of torture and degradation to Fascist Italy in 1944 remains one of the most passionately debated films of all time, a thought-provoking inquiry into the political, social, and sexual dynamics that define the world we live in.

"'Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom' will strike some viewers as irredeemably depraved, but its unflinching view of human cruelty makes it impossible to ignore." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"The director was reportedly in despair at the random violence of Italian society just before his death; that despair permeates his final work and gives it a posthumous significance." (Newsweek)

"There was a point to all this foulness; Pasolini was commenting on the dehumanising effect of fascism, with reference to Proust, Nietzsche and Dante's circles of Hell. You'll still want a shower afterwards, though." (Times UK)

"This film is essential to have seen but impossible to watch: a viewer may find life itself defiled beyond redemption by the simple fact that such things can be shown or even imagined." (New Yorker)

Sunday, September 10
Doors 8:50 pm | Movie 9:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

SALÓ, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM "Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma" (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1975 / 117 / In Italian with English subtitles) In World War II Italy, four fascist libertines round up nine adolescent boys and girls and subject them to 120 days of physical, mental, and sexual torture.

*Must be 19+ w/ID for entry and bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)