What? (Che?, also variously titled Quoi?, Was?, and Diary of Forbidden Dreams) is a 1972 comedy film co-written and directed by Roman Polanski and starring Sydne Rome, Marcello Mastroianni, Hugh Griffith and Romolo Valli.[2]

What?
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRoman Polanski
Written byRoman Polanski
Gérard Brach
Produced byCarlo Ponti
StarringSydne Rome
Marcello Mastroianni
Hugh Griffith
Romolo Valli
Roman Polanski
CinematographyMarcello Gatti
Giuseppe Ruzzolini
Edited byAlastair McIntyre
Music byClaudio Gizzi[1]
Release date
  • December 7, 1972 (1972-12-07)
Running time
110 minutes
CountriesItaly
France
Germany
LanguagesEnglish
Italian
French

Plot

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Set in an unnamed coastal city in Italy, the film tells a story of an American girl, Nancy, who takes shelter in a villa filled with strange guests. There, she gets into a relationship with a retired pimp, Alex.

Cast

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Production

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In 2017, Renate Langer accused Roman Polanski of raping her in 1972, when she was 15, just before and during the filming of this movie.[3]

Filming

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The film was shot on location in Amalfi, Italy, in a villa owned by the producer, Carlo Ponti. Some of the action was improvised.[4][5]

Reception

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John Simon of the National Review described What? as a 'monstrous fiasco'.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Composer Claudio Gizzi". Fangoria. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  2. ^ Vincent Canby (1973-10-04). "Che? (1973) Film: X-Rated Polanski: What?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  3. ^ "Former German Actress Accuses Roman Polanski of Raping Her When She Was 15". www.vulture.com. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  4. ^ Rabin, Nathan (October 28, 2009). "Polanski-tastic Sick-Fuck Case File #149: What?". The A.V. Club. Onion. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  5. ^ ""Che?" di Roman Polanski Sydne Rome in un mondo di pazzi". Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  6. ^ Simon, John (1982). Reverse Angle: A Decade of American Film. Crown Publishers Inc. p. 156. ISBN 9780517544716.
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