L’ASSASSINO

Best known for THE 10TH VICTIM and the Oscar-winning INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION, Elio Petri was one of the finest, yet most underrated post-war Italian directors. Unjustly neglected since its acclaimed original release, L’ASSASSINO is a remarkably assured debut that stars Marcello Mastroianni (8 1/2) as a dandyish antiques dealer arrested on suspicion of murdering his older lover. As a Kafka-esque investigation proceeds, it becomes less and less important if Marcello actually committed the crime, as his entire lifestyle is effectively put on trial.