If you are looking to spotlight Tinto Brass’s Cheeky (originally titled Trasgredire, 2000),
To understand Cheeky, one must first understand Tinto Brass. Born in 1933 in Milan, Brass began his career as an assistant to Pasolini before directing political and experimental films. But by the late 1970s, he had found his true signature: a baroque, joyful, and unashamed celebration of the female body, the female gaze, and sexual liberation. Films like Caligula (1979, though he disowned the final cut), The Key (1983), and Paprika (1991) established him as Italy’s elder statesman of erotic cinema — a role he wore with a wrinkled linen suit and a twinkle in his eye.
Trasgredire arrived when Brass was well into his late career and had an established reputation for erotic cinema (notably Caligula-adjacent controversies, although Brass’s own style is distinct). The film reflects late-20th-century European art‑house eroticism, which foregrounded sexual exploration as both cinematic spectacle and cultural provocation. In 2000, conversations about representation and power in erotic media were shifting, and contemporary audiences may read Brass’s work through a more critical lens regarding gender dynamics and objectification. trasgredire cheeky tinto brass 2000 tras
The year 2000 marked a significant pivot in erotic cinema with the release of Tinto Brass’s Trasgredire (often released internationally as Cheeky). While the 1990s had seen a rise in dark, psychological thrillers, Brass—the undisputed "Maestro" of Italian eroticism—decided to ring in the new millennium with a film that was unapologetically vibrant, lighthearted, and visually exuberant. The Plot: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Late 90s/Early 2000s London, featuring iconic locations like the London Underground and Tower Bridge. If you are looking to spotlight Tinto Brass
Cheeky (or Trasgredire) follows Carla, a young woman living in London (played by Yuliya Mayarchuk in her most famous role). She works in a real estate agency but spends much of her time exploring her own sexual identity, her relationship with her boyfriend Matteo, and the liberating potential of voyeurism and exhibitionism. The narrative moves between the couple’s attempts to reconcile emotional intimacy with physical curiosity and Carla’s encounters with various characters who challenge conventional monogamy.
Bright, saturated colors and a frantic, almost slapstick editing rhythm that mimics the energy of a comic strip [1, 5]. Films like Caligula (1979, though he disowned the
In the context of film history, Trasgredire stands as a rebellion against the "grim" side of erotica. It suggests that transgression doesn't have to be dangerous or taboo—it can be a form of play. It remains a staple for fans of European cult cinema and those who appreciate Tinto Brass's unique ability to blend high-art cinematography with low-brow fun.