H2S (1969)

Shot in 1968, H2S was banned a few days after it was released since it was considered as too violent. The film could be considered as a sort of manifesto of the late ‘60s student protests that also tackles themes such as consumerism, power, technocracy and mind-control. In the film Tommaso (Denis Gilmore), a young man clad in a rather bizarre and anachronistic outfit in bold and bright colours, arrives at his new art college in London where he meets a dictatorial lecturer accompanied by the college founder, an elderly lady (wonderful Paolo Poli). The first lecture is delivered to a class of obedient and tamed students, all dressed in white outfits. A rebellion led by a brave girl follows but, soon after, catastrophe ensues and Tommaso takes refuge in the mountains with Alice (Carole André). Together they live for a while in a sort of hippy cottage with walls covered in aluminium foil and furniture reminiscent of Claes Oldenburg’s papier-mâché sculptures. Tommaso goes back to the college towards the end of the film with a criminal plan in mind, but finds it is now ruled by the assistant of the lecturer, a mad scientist for his experiments to control humans and animals.