book st. paul

st paul book by pier paolo pasolini

pier paolo pasolini\s \st paul\ offers a radical and thought-provoking cinematic blueprint that reimagines the life of the apostle paul in a tumultuous 20th-century landscape. this unproduced screenplay transcends a simple biographical retelling, instead using the figure of paul to dissect contemporary society, politics, and the very essence of faith. pasolini\s work is a powerful exploration of the tensions between revolution and institution, the sacred and the profane, and the enduring power of religious narrative in a secularizing world. the text serves as a testament to pasolini\s audacious vision, blending rigorous intellectual inquiry with a deeply felt, almost spiritual, passion.

about the author pier paolo pasolini

pier paolo pasolini (1922-1975) was a major figure in italian literature and cinema, a versatile and controversial artist who excelled as a poet, novelist, playwright, and filmmaker. a self-proclaimed "catholic marxist," his work often explored the gritty realities of life in the roman underclass and offered a sharp critique of bourgeois society and consumerism. pasolini\s films, such as "the gospel according to st. matthew" and the notorious "salò, or the 120 days of sodom," are known for their provocative and often shocking imagery, which he used to challenge societal norms and explore complex political and religious themes.

st paul summary

originally conceived as a film project, pier paolo pasolini\s \st paul\ exists as a detailed screenplay that was never brought to the screen due to its controversial nature. the narrative audaciously transposes the life and teachings of st. paul into the modern era, beginning with paul as a fascist collaborator in vichy, france. his dramatic conversion occurs on the road to franco\s spain, leading him to join the anti-fascist resistance. pasolini\s st. paul then travels through a contemporary landscape, preaching a message of resistance in italy, germany, and ultimately new york city, which stands in for ancient rome. the screenplay uses paul\s original epistles, placing them in the context of 20th-century political struggles, from the rise of nazism to the american civil rights movement. through this anachronistic lens, pasolini critiques both the institutionalization of the church and the failures of modern political movements. the work is a profound meditation on the nature of faith, revolution, and the enduring relevance of paul\s message in a world grappling with new forms of imperialism and oppression.

a revolutionary retelling

what makes pasolini\s \st paul\ so compelling is its fearless recontextualization of a foundational religious figure. by placing paul amidst the political turmoil of the 20th century, pasolini forces the reader to confront the revolutionary implications of his teachings. the apostle is no longer a distant historical figure but a contemporary radical, whose words resonate with the struggles against fascism and capitalism. this approach allows for a fresh and often startling interpretation of the pauline epistles, revealing their potent critique of power and injustice.

critique of the institutional church

while pasolini engages deeply with the spiritual and revolutionary aspects of paul\s message, he is also fiercely critical of the institutional church that was founded in his name. the screenplay highlights what pasolini saw as the negative elements that emerged from the institutionalization of christianity, such as moralism and a departure from the radical poverty of its origins. this critical perspective is a hallmark of pasolini\s work, which often explored the contradictions and hypocrisies of organized religion. \st paul\ can be seen as an attempt to reclaim the authentic, subversive spirit of early christianity from the dogmatic and often oppressive structures of the established church.

frequently asked questions about st paul by pier paolo pasolini

1. is pier paolo pasolini\s \st paul\ a novel?

   no, \st paul\ is not a novel. it is a screenplay for a film that was never produced. the book presents the detailed script and pasolini\s vision for the cinematic project.

2. when did pasolini write the screenplay for \st paul\?

   pier paolo pasolini wrote the screenplay for \st paul\ between 1968 and 1974. this was a prolific and politically charged period in his career, following his acclaimed film \the gospel according to st. matthew\ and leading up to his final and most controversial work, \salò, or the 120 days of sodom\.

3. why was the film \st paul\ never made?

   the film adaptation of \st paul\ was deemed too risky and controversial by potential investors. pasolini\s radical interpretation of the apostle\s life, including depicting him as a fascist collaborator who later joins the resistance, was likely a major factor in the project\s failure to secure funding.

4. what are the main themes of pasolini\s \st paul\?

   the central theme of \st paul\ is the transposition of a historical and religious figure into a modern context to explore contemporary political and social issues. the screenplay delves into themes of revolution, anti-fascism, the critique of capitalism, the tension between faith and organized religion, and the potential for a radical, subversive christianity.

5. how does pasolini portray st. paul in the screenplay?

   pasolini presents a complex and dichotomous st. paul. he is at once a revolutionary figure who challenges the dominant powers of his time and a conformist who lays the groundwork for an oppressive institutional church. this dual portrayal reflects pasolini\s own complicated relationship with marxism and catholicism, seeing both revolutionary potential and the seeds of dogmatism within paul\s teachings.