The Birds, the Bees and the Italians

*With the presentation of Guy Borlée

For Sir & Mr.want (The Birds, the Bees and the Italians), Germi created a blend of the best ingredients of transalpine cinema of his generation. His comedy of morals draws both on the sketch film genre and the political conscience of the era. Across three narrative segments, the film intertwines the frivolities and infidelities of a host of characters to paint a corrosive portrait of the Venetian bourgeoisie, in all its hypocrisy and the base instincts of its sexuality. “Sorry for making you laugh…”. These were the words spoken by Pietro Germi in response to the catcalls and booing when he accepted his Palme d’or, considered undeserved by some. And yet the Jury, presided over that year by Sophia Loren, didn’t miss a trick: this little-known masterpiece has retained its place in the history of Italian cinema.

France İtaly
119'
1966

Director
Pietro Germi

Awards
Cannes Film Festival - Golden Palm
David di Donatello Awards - Best Production; Best Director
Golden Goblets - Best Film
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists - Best Screenplay; Best Supporting Actor; Best Supporting Actress

Festivals
23rd Festival on Wheels
Comedy Italian Style