妓女们 Le Buttane

Orlanda, Liuccia, Milù, Blu Blu and Veronica live all in Palermo. And they all are prostitutes (Buttane). We can see them spending their days among clients and desperation. Some got children, some got problems with the pimps, some are more desperate than others, but their destinies are more or less the same.

The prostitutes of Palermo are pictured in this episodic Italian drama. The film lacks a real unifying thread as it presents scenes from the lives of 7 hookers. Five are women. One is a man, and one is a transvestite. In one episode, an aging ill-mannered Neapolitan, Orlanda, entertains North African visitors in her home. They do not seem to mind her constant barrage of racist comments. One of her clients falls for her and protects her from a client who stalks her. She is surprised. The male prostitute finds himself becoming violent after his client is too attentive. Liucca gets beaten in lieu of a payment. A mother struggles with her profession and homelife. Grimaldi dehumanizes clients.