For those willing to approach it on its own terms — as a comic, erotic romp with a one-track mind — Cheeky is a breezy time capsule. It is not profound. It is not subtle. But like a summer day in Naples, it is warm, unpretentious, and unapologetically itself. Tinto Brass, now in his 90s, remains one of cinema’s last great hedonists. And Trasgredire ? It is simply his smile captured on film.
Trasgredire (released internationally as ) is a 2000 Italian erotic comedy directed by the legendary "maestro of eroticism," Tinto Brass . Known for its lighthearted tone and Brass's signature visual style, the film explores themes of jealousy, infidelity, and sexual liberation against the backdrop of modern-day London. 🎬 Film Overview Cheeky (2000) - IMDb
Trasgredire (internationally released as Cheeky) is a 2000 Italian erotic comedy directed by Tinto Brass, a filmmaker best known for his stylized, sensual cinema. The film is an adaptation of Livia De Stefani’s novel La Ciociara? No — actually Trasgredire is based on a novel by Alberto Moravia? — and loosely draws from a mix of erotic literature and Brass’s own recurring themes: voyeurism, liberated sexuality, and the interplay between fantasy and social convention. It follows a middle-aged man, Luca (played by Diego Abatantuono), and his sexual midlife restlessness as he becomes entangled with two younger women, Viola (Anna Ammirati) and Barbara (Francesca Nunzi), exploring desire, temptation, and the boundaries of morality. trasgredire cheeky tinto brass 2000 tras
Yuliya Mayarchuk’s performance captured the specific blend of mischief and independence central to the director's cinematic vision during this period. Cultural Impact and Legacy
The production of Trasgredire is a testament to Brass' artistic methods. Despite the plot being set in London, the majority of the film was not shot on location in the UK. Instead, the interiors, including the iconic loft overlooking the Thames, were constructed on soundstages at the legendary studios in Rome. This choice allowed Brass and Di Venanzo to have complete control over the film's distinctive use of space, light, and color, which are among the film's most praised attributes. For the actors, the production was intense. Mayarchuk later revealed that the two most difficult scenes for her were a simulated sex scene in a gondola and the infamous anal sex scene on a beach. She described the psychological block and anguish she felt, even knowing it was a simulated performance. For those willing to approach it on its
The uninhibited real estate agent who introduces Carla to London's libertine side. Mauro Lorenz
Trasgredire (Cheeky) is quintessential Tinto Brass: visually opulent, erotically unabashed, and thematically focused on the tensions between desire and possession. It succeeds as a stylistic statement and a provocation, but its narrative thinness and objectifying gaze limit its broader appeal. Appreciated on its own terms—as a crafted exercise in sensual aesthetics—it offers compelling images and moments; judged by contemporary standards of gender and power, it raises challenging questions about agency and representation. But like a summer day in Naples, it
The narrative explores the conflict between Carla's genuine love for Matteo and her natural, uninhibited sexual desires. As the Arrow Films synopsis describes, the film is "a genuinely moving look at problems arising when a desire to remain scrupulously faithful collides with the lure of baser instincts". Trasgredire challenges the very notion of "cheating," redefining it not as a betrayal, but as a form of personal exploration.
Carla's deeply jealous Venetian boyfriend who undergoes a sexual awakening. Francesca Nunzi