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MYSTÈRE: Mystère is one of Rome’s top call-girls whose clients range from political elites to business executives. Her friend Pamela, another prostitute, steals an expensive lighter from a recent client, only to be mysteriously murdered shortly thereafter. When Mystère discovers that not only has Pamela been killed but also the client from whom she stole the lighter, she realizes that her own life might be in danger, a fear quickly validated when she narrowly survives an assassination attempt. Desperate to figure out why she and Pamela were targeted, she finds an ally in Inspector Colt, who has been tasked with solving the crimes. But as their investigation deepens, it becomes clear that the seemingly ordinary lighter holds a potentially deadly secret.
OBSESSION: A TASTE FOR FEAR: Set in a semi-futuristic, technology-infused world, Diane is a top photographer for erotic and fashion magazines whose sexually liberated lifestyle carries over to her work. However, when Diane’s newest model, the statuesque Teagan, is found murdered on her set, suspicion falls not only on Diane but her entire production crew and other models. While Inspector Arnold initially assumes the killer is a nerdy technician, a second murder, which is captured on video, reveals the assailant to be a beautiful woman…
SWEETS FROM A STRANGER: A bicycle-riding, razor-wielding killer is stalking and slashing Rome’s ladies of the night. Stella, who has risen above the level of streetwalker and now works as a high-class escort, is shocked when she learns that a dear friend has become the maniac’s latest victim. Disgusted by the failure of the police to either find the killer or even protect other women, she hatches her own plan to help fellow prostitutes organize and learn self-defense in the hopes that their own actions will lead to the culprit’s unmasking.
A surprisingly socially-conscious giallo that earnestly reflects on the state of prostitution in Italy, prolific writer Franco Ferrini’s (Nothing Underneath, Rings of Fear) sole directorial effort, SWEETS FROM A STRANGER, offers a distinctive hybrid of razor murders and thoughtful commentary heightened by nuanced and believable characters. Featuring a catchy score and title song by Umberto Smaila as well as a supporting performance from Italian genre legend Laura Betti (A Bay of Blood, Salò), this one-of-a-kind giallo makes its worldwide disc debut, newly restored in 2K from its original negative and including an abundance of new interviews filled with insight into this unusual production.
STARRING: Carole Bouquet, Phil Coccioletti