Salo: The 120 Days of Sodom - Understanding Controversial Cinema

In this episode of The Disturbing Reel, we dive into one of the most infamous and challenging films ever made: Salò: The 120 Days of Sodom (1975), directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Often banned, censored, and condemned, Salò remains one of the most controversial works in extreme cinema. But beneath the disturbing imagery lies a chilling commentary on power, corruption, and dehumanization. Join me as we: •Break down the history and context behind Pasolini’s final film. •Explore why this story of fascism, abuse, and control continues to provoke outrage. •Separate shock value from symbolism, and uncover what the film is really saying about society. •Discuss the psychology of viewing controversial cinema and why audiences are drawn to films that test moral and emotional limits. ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of graphic and disturbing themes. Listener discretion is strongly advised.