(1996)
La Sindrome di Stendhal
The Stendhal Syndrome is the return of Dario Argento to the themes of his earlier films. Again his daughter (Asia) stars as a policewoman after a serial killer (Thomas Kretschmann). She suffers from Stendhal syndrome, named after writer Marie Henri Bayle (his pen name was Stendhal). He was an officer in Napoleon’s army before he became a writer. He toured the Santa Croce church and was overwhelmed by the architecture and art, he fainted when he saw a Giatto painting. This syndrome can cause split personalities, self inflicted injuries, hallucinations, physical strength and a wish for death. The killer plays with her mind while she is under the influence of the syndrome. Ennio Morricone is back to compose the music.
Director: Dario Argento. Producer: Dario Argento and Guiseppe Columbo. Screenplay: Dario Argento and Franco Ferrini. Director of Photography: Giuseppe “Beppe” Rotunno. Music: Ennio Morricone. Production Designer: Antonello Geleng. Editor: Angelo Nicolini. Special Effects: Sergio Stivaletti. Special Make-Up Effects: Franco Casagni.
Cast: Asia Argento (Anna Manni), Thomas Kretschmann (Alfredo Grossi), Paolo Bonacelli (Dr. Cavanna), Julien Lambroschini (Marie), Marco Leonardi (Marco Longhi), Luigi Dilberti (Inspector Manetti), John Quentin (Manni), Sonia Topazio (Victim in car).
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1, 120 minutes, MPAA Rating: Un-Rated