Principal photography for "Taboo" took place in the summer of 1979, with a relatively modest budget of $1.2 million. The film was shot on location in various parts of New York City, including the iconic Central Park. The cast, comprising a talented ensemble of young actors, including John Tesh, Prudence Love and Jill Larson, brought the story to life with their nuanced performances.
: Historians of the "Golden Age" note that this film marked a shift toward high-budget, plot-heavy productions that sought to emulate the look and feel of mainstream soap operas or melodramas. The Franchise and Later Influence movie taboo 1980
For those seeking a thought-provoking and visually striking film experience, "Taboo" remains an essential watch, offering a profound exploration of the human condition and the complexities of desire, identity, and relationships. As a cinematic work, "Taboo" continues to captivate audiences, inspiring new interpretations and reflections on its enduring themes and motifs. Principal photography for "Taboo" took place in the
Because of these taboos, Cannibal Holocaust was banned in over 50 countries. It is the Rosetta Stone for understanding the brutal aesthetic of 1980. : Historians of the "Golden Age" note that
The film’s weakness—its emotional aridity—is also its strength. It refuses the catharsis that even radical cinema usually provides. Taboo ultimately suggests that the deepest taboo is not an act, but an admission: that liberation might have been a mirage, and that we may have been freer when certain things remained unsaid and undone. As of 2026, the film remains a challenging, almost forgotten coda to the 1960s—essential for scholars of European erotica, but difficult for general audiences.
However, Welles warns Sophia that "Taboo" is not for the faint of heart. He claims that some audience members may find it disturbing, even repulsive. Undeterred, Sophia convinces Welles to let her see a rough cut of the film.