Dr. Faust (played by veteran actor Jean-Yves Le Castel) is a scholar weary of knowledge. Mephistopheles (an icy, androgynous portrayal by Hungarian star Judith Grant) offers him a deal: unlimited earthly pleasure in exchange for his soul. The twist? The “pleasures” are psychological torments. Unlike mainstream adaptations, Salieri emphasizes the erotic grotesque —Margherita’s corruption is not just sexual but spiritual.