Italy
This gross-out semi-documentary caused a stir and scandal when it was released in 1963, due to its unabashedly goal shock and outrage viewers with its low-brow, disconnected series of clips on savages and barbarians.
Audiences were treated to men who pierce their skin or their noses and to women do not bother to cover their breasts.
Aiming to show repulsive or erotic ritual practices and strange cultural customs from around the world, such as the slaughter of pigs in New Guinea or Asians who eat dog meat, or even the Hawaiian hula, this feature about eccentric and revolting human behavior, with commentary from a white male perspective has its admirers.
Mondo cane (which means “dog world) was a smash hit in the U.S. and all over the world, leading to a number of sequels.’
The film received an Oscar nomination for its song, “More,” music by Riz Ortolani and Nino Oliviero, lyrics by Norman Newell.
The winner, however, was Call Me Irresponsible, by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, from the movie Papa’s Delicate Condition.
MPAA: R
Running time: 105 Minutes
