Gateway Film Foundation celebrates female talent and empowerment through captivating stories on the big screen, honoring the remarkable contributions of women throughout history.

“…the lightest, most successful fusion of Miss Wertmuller’s two favorite themes, sex and politics.”

– Vincent Canby, The New York Times

Country: Italy
Language: Italian

About the film

Set against the backdrop of the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, Swept Away is Lina Wertmüller’s (Seven Beauties) wildly controversial film about sex, love and politics. On an elegant yacht cruising off the coast of Sardinia, Raffaella (Mariangela Melato), a rich and stunning capitalist, enjoys tormenting Gennarino (Giancarlo Giannini), a Communist sailor. Fate weaves a different scenario and roles become reversed when the two find themselves stranded together on a deserted island and Raffaella needs Gennarino’s survivalist skills in order to stay alive. Restored in 2024 from the original film negatives by the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, in collaboration with Minerva Pictures and Mediaset, carried out by L’Immagine Ritrovata.

About the filmmaker:

Arcangela Felice Assunta “Lina” Wertmüller OMRI was an Italian film director and screenwriter. She is best known for her 1970s art house films Seven Beauties, The Seduction of Mimi, Love and Anarchy, and Swept Away. Wertmüller was the first female director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.

MAJOR SUPPORT
Ohio Arts Council
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Columbus Foundation
Campus Partners
National Endowment for the Arts

WITH HELP FROM
G&J Pepsi
WOSU Public Media