As we know, art is not simply a matter of personal accomplishment, it’s a dialogue between the creator and the audience. Today, we’re thrilled to share the remarkable response and outstanding feedback our film has been receiving since its debut.
Audience Reaction
“Before the Revolution” was a challenging project for us, as we wanted to portray the historical and personal aspects of the revolutionary period in Italy. We spent over a year researching, planning, shooting, and editing the film, facing many difficulties along the way. For example, we had to shoot in harsh weather conditions, deal with censorship issues, and work with a limited budget .
We were delighted to see that our efforts paid off when the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1964 . The film received a standing ovation from the audience and was nominated for the Golden Palm award.
We’ve been inundated with positive feedback.
Since then, the film has been rediscovered and appreciated by many viewers around the world. Some of the aspects that have been praised are:
- The historical accuracy and attention to detail. The film recreates the atmosphere and events of the 1960s in Italy, showing the political and social changes that occurred during that time. The film also features authentic costumes, locations, and dialogue that reflect the period .
- The performances by our talented cast. The actors delivered stellar and immersive performances, bringing to life the complex and passionate characters of the film. The leads, Francesco Barilli and Adriana Asti, received several accolades and nominations for their roles .
- The narrative structure and storytelling technique. The film uses a nonlinear and fragmented style, inspired by the French New Wave and Jean-Luc Godard. The film explores the themes of ideology, passion, and identity through the protagonist’s journey and his relationships with others .
We have also received some constructive feedback from some viewers who found the film difficult to follow or wanted to know more about the characters’ backgrounds. We appreciate these perspectives and welcome any suggestions for improvement.
Box Office Performance
“Before the Revolution” was released in Italy on 12 June 1964. It had a modest box office performance, earning about $3 million in its domestic run. The film faced some competition from other popular films at the time, such as “A Fistful of Dollars” and “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”.
The film also had a limited international release, mainly in France and Japan. It earned about $2 million in these markets, bringing its total worldwide gross to $5 million.
While these numbers may not seem impressive by today’s standards, they represent a significant achievement for an independent and low-budget film like ours. Moreover, they indicate that our film reached and engaged with millions of viewers across different countries and cultures.
We are grateful for the commercial success of our film, as it has enabled us to continue making films that we are passionate about. However, more than the money, we value the fact that our storytelling has touched so many hearts and minds.
Bernardo Bertolucci was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He was born on March 16, 1941, in Parma, Italy, and passed away on November 26, 2018. Bertolucci was known for his innovative and visually striking filmmaking style.
He gained international recognition for directing films such as “The Conformist,” “Last Tango in Paris,” “1900,” “The Last Emperor,” and “The Dreamers.” “The Last Emperor” won nine Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, solidifying Bertolucci’s status as a prominent figure in world cinema.
Bertolucci was celebrated for his exploration of complex themes, psychological depth, and his ability to push cinematic boundaries. His films often tackled political, social, and existential issues, and his storytelling was marked by intricate character development and rich visual aesthetics.
Throughout his career, Bernardo Bertolucci left an indelible mark on cinema with his unique artistic vision and contributions to the art of filmmaking.