Tango: Limited series on Last Tango In Paris controversy in development

Titled Tango, the series will trace the 18 months before, during and after the production of the 1972 erotic drama
Tango: Limited series on Last Tango In Paris controversy in development

A limited series based on the tumultuous events surrounding the making of the 1972 erotic drama Last Tango In Paris is in development.

Titled Tango, the series will trace the 18 months before, during and after the production of the film, exploring the story through the lens of the three participants at the centre of events, actors Maria Schneider, Marlon Brando and director Bernardo Bertolucci.

Last Tango In Paris starred Schneider as a young woman who starts an affair with a middle-aged American businessman based only on sex. The film has been at the centre of controversy ever since its release. Though the film garnered Oscar nominations for the men behind the film, Brando and Bertolucci, the two have been criticised for their treatment of Schneider, who was allegedly exploited and humiliated during the shoot and ridiculed afterwards for her part in the film. In fact, the actor said that she received only $4,000 as compensation and that the experience led her down to a path of addiction and mental health issues.

The controversy re-ignited in 2016 when an interview Bertolucci gave to Dutch TV resurfaced. In that, the director appears to admit to exploiting Schneider.

The new series explores questions of identity, fame, and artistic ambition. Set in Italy, France and the US, the series will begin with Bertolucci travelling to Los Angeles in 1971 to convince a broken and bankrupt Brando to take a role in his upcoming film: a graphic account of sexual obsession, emotional breakdown and murder.

Based on a script by Jeremy Miller and Daniel Cohn, Tango will be co-directed by Lisa Bruhlmann and Jose Padilha. Greg Silverman and JP Sarni of Stampede Ventures will executive produce. CBS Studios co-produces the series with Stampede.

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