The Key (La Chiave) is a 1983 erotic drama film directed by Tinto Brass and starring Frank Finlay, Stefania Sandrelli, and Franco Branciaroli. Set in Venice in the late 1940s, the film is based on the 1958 novel Kagi by Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki.
The story revolves around the troubled marriage of Nino Rolfe, an art professor in his 60s, and his younger wife Teresa. Their relationship has become stale and routine, as they both lead separate lives and have little passion for each other.
However, Nino discovers that Teresa has developed a lustful attraction to their daughter's fiancé, Laszlo. Intrigued by this discovery, Nino begins to push his wife into exploring her desires and indulging in taboo sexual acts.
As Teresa becomes more and more involved with Laszlo, she also begins to reveal her own hidden desires and fetishes to Nino. This leads to a dangerous game of jealousy and obsession between the couple, as they both become aroused by the thought of the other being with someone else.
The Key is a highly controversial film that explores themes of sexual taboos, adultery, voyeurism, and power dynamics. It is known for its numerous explicit sex scenes and controversial subject matter, but is also praised for its cinematography and powerful performances by its lead actors.
