The sun had just set over the bustling streets of São Paulo, casting a warm orange glow over the city. In a small, trendy neighborhood, a group of friends gathered at a place known simply as "The Red Spot" – a bar famous for its Tinto de Verano, a refreshing summer drink made with red wine and lemon soda.
, internationally released under the title Cheeky , is a 2000 Italian erotic comedy film directed by the undisputed maestro of Italian voyeuristic cinema, Tinto Brass . Known stylistically as Tra(sgre)dire , the film represents a crucial milestone in Brass’s late-career filmography. It serves as a visual bridge between 20th-century European softcore sensibilities and the bold aesthetics of the new millennium.
Today, film historians recognize Trasgredire as:
The story follows (Yuliya Mayarchuk), a young Venetian woman living in London while searching for an apartment to share with her boyfriend, Matteo (Jarno Berardi).
Upon its release, the film faced significant pushback from political figures in Italy, particularly regarding its suggestive promotional posters. For years, international versions were heavily censored—some DVDs were shortened by nearly a minute to remove graphic close-ups—until recent uncensored 4K restorations by labels like Cult Epics B&S About Movies Cheeky (2000) - IMDb
In "Trasgredire," Argento gives a bold and nuanced performance, bringing depth and complexity to the film's exploration of desire and power. Her chemistry with the film's supporting cast, including Marco Leonardi and Cristina Capotondi, is undeniable, and she proves herself to be more than capable of holding her own in the film's many explicit scenes.
The phrase "trasgredire cheeky tinto brass 2000 tras" has since become a search term for collectors of rare erotic cinema, often appearing on forums dedicated to Italian genre films.
However, the film cleverly breaks the fourth wall by making the characters aware of the gaze. The protagonist, Carla, is constantly being watched—by neighbors, by lovers, and by the camera itself. Yet, she is never victimized by this gaze. Instead, she revels in it. She is the architect of her own transgression. The title Cheeky is apt; the tone is mischievous rather than dark.