The Year of the Cannibals Poster

The Year of the Cannibals 1969

★ 5.325 votes88 min📅 1969-08-23

Liliana Cavani's daring 1969 drama *The Year of the Cannibals* plunges into a nightmarish urban landscape where the bodies of young rebels pile up in the streets, denied proper burial by a cold, authoritarian regime.

Director: Liliana Cavani

Cast

Britt Ekland
Britt Ekland
Antigone
Pierre Clémenti
Pierre Clémenti
Tiresia
Tomas Milian
Tomas Milian
Emone
Delia Boccardo
Delia Boccardo
Ismene
Marino Masé
Marino Masé
Ismene's Fiancé
Francesco Leonetti
Francesco Leonetti
Prime Minister
Alfredo Bianchini
Alfredo Bianchini
Alessandro Cane
Alessandro Cane
National Security Commissioner
Cora Mazzoni
Antigone's Mother
Francesco Arminio
Antigone's Father

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Year of the Cannibals (1969) about?

Set in a repressive metropolis, the film follows a young woman who risks everything to bury the bodies of fallen rebels, challenging a law that forbids mourning. Her act of civil disobedience becomes a defiant stand against an oppressive state.

Who directed The Year of the Cannibals?

The film was directed by Liliana Cavani, an Italian filmmaker known for her bold, politically charged cinema.

Who stars in The Year of the Cannibals?

The main cast features Britt Ekland, Pierre Clémenti, Tomas Milian, Delia Boccardo, and Marino Masé.

Is The Year of the Cannibals (1969) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, its provocative themes and Cavani's distinctive vision make it a compelling watch for fans of political drama. The film's intensity and allegorical storytelling offer a visceral experience that resonates with audiences drawn to bold, unconventional narratives.

How long is The Year of the Cannibals?

The runtime for The Year of the Cannibals is 88 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Year of the Cannibals (1969) — Liliana Cavani's stark allegory of rebellion and mourning

Liliana Cavani's daring 1969 drama *The Year of the Cannibals* plunges into a nightmarish urban landscape where the bodies of young rebels pile up in the streets, denied proper burial by a cold, authoritarian regime. Britt Ekland stars as a modern Antigone who defies the oppressive law to honor the dead, aided by a mysterious stranger named Tiresias. With its stark visuals and haunting themes of resistance and mourning, the film weaves political allegory into a tragic tale of youth betrayed by power.

The atmosphere crackles with tension as Cavani explores the cost of defiance in a society that criminalizes grief itself. Ekland's fiery performance anchors a cast including Pierre Clémenti and Tomas Milian, delivering a story that lingers like a shadow over the viewer's conscience long after the credits roll.