Directed by Sergio Ammirata (though often associated with the prolific cult filmmaker Fernando Di Leo, who is frequently credited as a co-director or uncredited collaborator), Sesso in testa (also known as Sex in the Head or Italian Sex) is a vibrant entry in the commedia sexy all’italiana genre. It uses a satirical, episodic structure to lampoon the sexual mores and hypocrisies of mid-70s Italy.
The Synopsis
The film follows Diana, a beautiful and dedicated sociology student who is defending her ambitious final thesis before a university examination board. Her topic is a provocative one: a deep-dive study into the habits, psychology, and behaviors of the “average” Italian man in his interactions with prostitutes.
The “catch” that shocks the board—and draws a massive crowd of curious onlookers to the lecture hall—is that Diana’s research was entirely firsthand. To truly understand her subject, she spent months working undercover as a prostitute. As she presents her findings to the increasingly flustered panel (which includes a judgemental priest and a sceptical president), the film unfolds through a series of colourful vignettes. These flashbacks detail her various encounters with a wide array of eccentric “clients,” ranging from bumbling politicians and repressed professionals to delusional romanticists. Through Diana’s objective but witty perspective, the film critiques the absurdity of the Italian patriarchy and the gap between public morality and private desire.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
| Director | Sergio Ammirata & Fernando Di Leo |
| Diana | Pilar Velázquez |
| Exam Board President | Lino Banfi |
| Examining Woman | Didi Perego |
| The Commendatore | Mario Carotenuto |
| Lanfranco | Toni Ucci |
| Epifanio | Oreste Lionello |
| Frank Innamorato | Aldo Giuffrè |
Production Notes
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The Fernando Di Leo Touch: While Sergio Ammirata is the primary credited director, the presence of Fernando Di Leo is highly significant. Di Leo, famous for his “Milieu” crime trilogy, brings a sharper, more cynical edge to the comedy than many other films of this era.
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A “Who’s Who” of Italian Comedy: The film boasts an incredible ensemble of character actors. Lino Banfi, a legend of Italian slapstick, delivers a standout performance as the frantic head of the examination committee, while Mario Carotenuto provides his classic “old school” charm.
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Sociological Satire: Unlike many erotic comedies that focused solely on ribaldry, Sesso in testa attempts a meta-narrative, using the “academic thesis” framework to directly mock the very audience that watched these films, turning the lens back on the “average Italian man.”
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Visual Style: The film utilises a bright, pop-art aesthetic typical of the 1970s, with vignettes that often lean into surrealism to highlight the bizarre nature of the characters’ sexual fantasies.
