Courtesy of Photofest.

(1971, dir. Luchino Visconti, 130 mins., PG) In this adaptation of the Thomas Mann novel, avant-garde composer Gustave Aschenbach (loosely based on Gustav Mahler) travels to a Venetian seaside resort in search of repose after a period of artistic and personal stress. But he finds no peace in his troubling attraction to a beautiful adolescent boy on vacation with his family. Against the muted pastels and humidity of Venice, unattainable ideals and vanity threaten to destroy the composer. Scored with Mahler compositions, the film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival Dr. James Larner, professor of music and humanities at Marian University, introduces the film. Film will be shown in 35mm.

The film is shown on the occasion of the IMA exhibition Venetian Views: American Works on Paper, on view through November 27, and of the IMA’s exhibition at the Venice Biennale.

This program made possible by the Myrtie Shumacker Lecture Fund.