Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Last Tango' stole my star's youth, admits Bertolucci

Michael Day
Saturday 05 February 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments
Bertolucci with Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider on the set of ‘Last Tango in Paris’ (AP
Bertolucci with Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider on the set of ‘Last Tango in Paris’ (AP (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci has expressed his regret for never apologising to Maria Schneider for making her do the taboo-busting sex scenes with Marlon Brando in his 1972 arthouse film, Last Tango in Paris.

The French actress died, aged 58, after a long illness earlier this week.

"Her death arrived too soon, before I could re-embrace her tenderly and tell her that I still felt close to her and ask her at least once for her forgiveness," Bertolucci said.

"Maria accused me of robbing her of her youth and only today I ask myself if she wasn't perhaps right," he told Ansa news agency.

The film portrayed a US businessman, Marlon Brando, engaging in a series of sexual encounters with an engaged Parisian woman played by Schneider. But the film gained notoriety for the scene in which he is seen grabbing a lump of butter from the fridge, apparently to facilitate anal intercourse.

The actress later said: "Brando and Bertolucci manipulated me, using me without thinking about me. I took years to forgive them."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in