Seven Beauties, Essay Example

Seven Beauties is a 1975 Italian film that focuses on Pasqualino Settebellezze and the extent to which he is willing to go to survive.  The director, Lina Wertmuller, masterfully combines tragedy and comedy set against the backdrop of World War II.  One of the most interesting things about this film is the lack of innocence of any character in the film.

Seven Beauties focuses on the amorality of people and how amoral behavior is often used as a means of survival.  The reliance of amoral behavior as a means of survival is thought provoking in itself because Pasqualino and his family are not forced to be amoral, but rather choose to be amoral.  By showcasing amorality as a choice and not as a necessity, Wertmuller forces the viewer to be introspective about who they are and what they would be willing to do to survive.  Additionally, it also forces the audience to analyze whether they would be willing to take responsibility for their actions, or if they would try to circumvent any punishment due, as Pasqualino often does.

Another interesting aspect of Seven Beauties is the power women wield.  In the film, women and sex are intrinsically linked.  For instance, Pasqualino’s mother, sisters, and fiancée resort to prostitution to survive through the war.  Additionally, a female commandant is put in charge of the concentration camp where Pasqualino is held prisoner; the rank of commandant is in itself commands authority and is imbued with power.  Sex is also a source of power in the concentration camp and while Pasqualino insinuates he is willing to have sex with the commandant, she does not give up any power through sex, but rather she has the final say as to the effectiveness of Pasqualino’s efforts as he is willing to trade sex to survive.

As a female director, Wertmuller is able to turn the tables on conventional gender roles.  Ultimately, while Pasqualino’s mother, sisters, and fiancée turn to prostitution as an alternate means of survival, Pasqualino is forced to prostitute himself because he has not other choice.