Maladolescencia Maladolescenza 1977 De Pier Giuseppe Murgia [exclusive] Guide
Maladolescenza
Directed by Pier Giuseppe Murgia , (1977)—also known as Spielen wir Liebe or Playing with Love —is a highly controversial coming-of-age drama. The film is notorious for its explicit depictions of sexuality and psychological cruelty involving three young adolescents, leading to widespread bans and its classification as child pornography in several countries. Plot Summary
The narrative functions as a dark fairytale where the children's "games" escalate into sexual exploration and psychosexual bullying. The story concludes tragically when Fabrizio, driven by a desperate need for control and the fear of being abandoned, kills Silvia to ensure she can never leave him. Key Production Details Playing with Love (1977) maladolescencia maladolescenza 1977 de pier giuseppe murgia
As of 2026, no major film institution has restored Maladolescenza for a public retrospective. The British Film Institute and Cinémathèque Française hold prints in their archives but do not screen them. The story concludes tragically when Fabrizio, driven by
Director Pier Giuseppe Murgia always defended the film as a political and artistic statement—an allegory for the rise of fascism, the corruption of innocence, and the cruelty of the bourgeoisie. He argued that the film was against what it depicted. However, the legal reality is that Maladolescenza is considered child pornography in many jurisdictions (including Germany, the UK, and Canada), and possession is a serious crime. Director Pier Giuseppe Murgia always defended the film
The Hook:
A sun-drenched, idyllic forest becomes the stage for a psychological power struggle between three children. What begins as a dreamlike exploration of budding curiosity curdles into a nightmare of bullying, sexual dominance, and senseless tragedy. Key Narrative Themes: