Conversation Piece
Directed by Luchino Visconti
A retired professor and art lover leads a solitary life in his abode in Rome. Countess Bianca Brumonti insists on renting a floor of his mansion. He agrees in exchange for a unique painting that he wants for his collection. The arrival of the countess’ eccentric family turns his quiet life upside down. Silvana Mangano and Helmut Berger star alongside Burt Lancaster in the roles of Bianca and her young lover – central characters in this family possessing rather unusual moral values. In the film, the professor succumbs to the charms of Konrad Huebel, despite his vulgar nature. A strange relationship – based on desire and domination – comes to exist between them. For some, this fictitious couple is a metaphor for the relationship that was formed between Luchino Visconti and Helmut Berger.
The restoration was carried out by CSC – Cineteca Nazionale (Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia) using the original 35mm camera negative and the optical sound negative. Image processing, scanning to UHD 4K, and final grading were completed at Studio Emme, Rome. This new edition restores Visconti’s precise chromatic design, elegant interior compositions, and sonic detail with unprecedented clarity and fidelity.
Reviews More Reviews
“A haunting film. Beautiful to look at and to listen to."
“One of Visconti's most personal works."
“Visconti’s penultimate film will remain a testament to his talent. And rightly so, as it touches on all of the themes that the director held dear."
"Though filmed with his usual immaculate eye for decor and composition, the first half of Conversation Piece (Gruppo di famiglia in un interno) is unusually spry and funny for a Visconti film. Lancaster's flustered reactions and Berger's profane telephone threats make for great trash viewing, and the story really kicks into gear one hour in with a kinky plot twist."
Press & Exhibitors
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Technical Info
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Color: Color
Press & Promotion:
playdates
| Venue | City | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cinematheque | Los Angeles | CA | 1770181200February 4, 2026 |
| Amherst Cinema | Amherst | MA | 1771736400February 22 - February 24, 2026 |
| Cinéma du Museé | Montreal | QC | 1772946000March 8, 2026 |
| Cleveland Cinematheque | Cleveland | OH | 1772686800March 5 - March 8, 2026 |
| Digital Gym Cinema | San Diego | CA | 1772514000March 3, 2026 |
| Film Forum | New York | NY | 1769144400January 23 - January 29, 2026 |
| Gene Siskel Film Center | Chicago | IL | 1770958800February 13 - February 19, 2026 |
| Laemmle Royal | Los Angeles | CA | 1771563600February 20 - February 26, 2026 |
| SBIFF Film Center | Santa Barbara | CA | 1772773200March 6, 2026 |
| TIFF Lightbox | Toronto | ON | 1774324800March 24 - March 28, 2026 |
| UW-Madison Cinematheque | Madison | WI | 1774670400March 28, 2026 |
| Webster University Film Series | St. Louis | MO | 1771477200February 19, 2026 |