Swept Away... By an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August

Lina Wertmüller, 1974
R; 116 minutes; Italian with English subtitles

Class warfare hits the high seas in this Italian comedy about Gennarino (Giancarlo Giannini), a long-suffering crew member who works on a rich couple's yacht. The wife, Raffaela (Mariangela Melato), verbally abuses Gennarino and regularly insults his communist views. But when a day trip leaves the pair stranded at sea, they wash up on a deserted island and Raffaela is, suddenly, no longer the one in control. The role reversal leads to an unexpected and contentious love affair.

Indulge yourself with a series featuring many of “My Favorite Films” including tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism. Organized by Auditorium Manager Tina Gorski, a lifelong movie lover, the films in this series may hold special memories for you: no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in one more time. The series features films since 1945. While many of these films are available through streaming, it’s always more fun to see them in the theater.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries and our special exhibitions. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts. 

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the Modern’s auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members), available at the museum’s admission desk. Click here to purchase tickets online.