The Eroticist

The Eroticist
Italian film poster
Directed by	Lucio Fulci
Produced by	Edmondo Amati
Written by	Lucio Fulci, Alessandro Continenza, Ottavio Jemma
Starring	Lando Buzzanca
Music by	Fred Bongusto
Cinematography	Sergio D'Offizi
Edited by	Vincenzo Tomassi
Distributed by	Fida
Release date	March 16, 1972
Running time	108 minutes
Country	Italy
Language	Italian

The Eroticist (Italian: ''All'onorevole piacciono le donne''/ The Senator Likes Women), also known as The Senator Likes Women... Despite Appearances and Provided the Nation Doesn't Know, is an Italian 1972 comedy film directed (and co-written) by Lucio Fulci. It had censorship problems and was banned shortly after its release. Later it was released in a heavily cut version and prohibited for persons under 18 years.

Sen. Gianni Puppis (Lando Buzzanca) arrives at Rome's airport to greet the female president of the Republic of Urania. Puppis, a hot contender for the next Italian Chief (President) of State, is captured on unedited and unaired news-film furtively groping the bottom of the esteemed lady visitor as she greets the Italian press. No one notices the incident, and the victim is unsure who was responsible due to the crowd gathered around her. The TV film editor (Janos Bartha) studies the film with a colleague and remarks, "but he's queer!" Still photos of the incident fall into the hands of a highly unorthodox priest called Father Lucian (Renzo Palmer), an old college friend of Puppis. He arranges a meeting with the bemused politician in a confessional booth and then demands blackmail money for the pictures. Puppis is furious, but mystified, for he cannot remember anything about the incident. He leave the confessional booth refusing to pay. That night, Puppis has a strange dream which a naked young woman (Eva Czamerys) beckons him, superimposed over the circular plaza of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.

Puppis calls the unscrupulous Father Lucian and offers him the money. In return, Lucian offers to arrange a consultation with a german psychiatrist. During the session, Puppis describes his recent affliction: his dreams and waking thoughts are becoming obsessed with behinds, mostly female ones despite his open preference for fey young men like his personal chauffeur Carmelino (Aldo Puglisi). Asses fill his thoughts and even precipitate black-outs, during which he commits terrible acts of bottom-pinching. "We've got to lick this thing," says Father Lucian. Puppis leaves, vowing to maintain his self-control. But later that day, his hands wander as if controlled by another while standing behind a young lady in an elevator at the senate offices.