What? (Che?, also variously titled Quoi?, Was?, and Diary of Forbidden Dreams) is a 1972 comedy film co-written and directed by Roman Polanski and starring Sydne Rome, Marcello Mastroianni, Hugh Griffith and Romolo Valli.

Plot

Set in an unnamed coastal city in Italy, the film tells a story of an American girl, Nancy, who takes shelter in a villa filled with strange guests. There, she gets into a relationship with a retired pimp, Alex.

Cast

Production

In 2017, Renate Langer accused Roman Polanski of raping her in 1972, when she was 15, just before and during the filming of this movie.

Filming

The film was shot on location in Amalfi, Italy, in a villa owned by the producer, Carlo Ponti. Some of the action was improvised.

Reception

John Simon of the National Review described What? as a 'monstrous fiasco'.