Description

To consider ‘the art of action’, we’re looking to the white-knuckle work of wildcard auteur William Friedkin.

With roots in documentary, Friedkin easily translated his political anger across to fiction film, blending a verite style with heightened action sequences. Across three films we see how his use of action and stuntwork complements his pessimistic worldview and emboldens his status as Hollywood’s agitator/rebel.

The French Connection

This classic of 1970s cinema follows Popeye Doyle, played by the icon who embodied that decade's rough and ready style and demeanour the most, Gene Hackman. After stumbling upon a large heroin-smuggling operation, Doyle begins pursuing a French dealer with little care for safety or rules. Despite setting the template for the typical Hollywood ‘bad cop’, Friedkin doesn’t shy away from the blatant racism and abuse of power of the police. His characterization is jagged and unpleasant, something which later iterations would lack.

The French Connection features Friedkin’s most notorious stuntwork, particularly in the film’s climactic car chase - shot without permits and without blocking off streets. Having directed a couple of features prior to this, Friedkin returned to his documentary roots and employed a handheld shooting style which accentuated the frantically chaotic chase. As Doyle becomes more desperate, and his actions more haywire, Friedkin makes the viewer complicit in feeling the same thrill and excitement he does.

Supported by Film Hub NI, awarding funds from the National Lottery through the BFI Film Audience Network.

Part of Belfast Film Festival>>

Tickets & Pricing
Sun, 03 Nov 2024 7:00 - 8:40pm

You might also like

  • Belfast Film Festival
    Belfast Film Festival
    Belfast Film Festival

    Belfast Film Festival

    31 Oct - 09 Nov 2024

    Belfast Film Festival 2024 invites you to ten days of captivating cinema from October 31 to November 9.

    Find Out More
  • Fréwaka
    Fréwaka
    Belfast Film Festival

    Fréwaka

    Thu, 31 Oct 2024, 7:00pm

    The Belfast Film Festival is proud to present Aislinn Clarke’s second feature as its opening film, 2024.

    Find Out More
  • Universal Language
    Universal Language
    Belfast Film Festival

    Universal Language

    1.31 KM
    Thu, 31 Oct 2024, 8:30pm

    Matthew Rankin's delightfully offbeat comedy manages to say something profound and moving about culture and community

    Find Out More
  • Northern Ireland Screen Networkshop Mixer
    Northern Ireland Screen Networkshop Mixer
    Belfast Film Festival

    Northern Ireland Screen Networkshop Mixer

    Fri, 01 Nov 2024, 6:30pm

    Hosted by Northern Ireland Screen, this mixer will feature a selection of short films, talks from locally based…

    Find Out More
  • Competition Shorts: Programme One
    Competition Shorts: Programme One
    Belfast Film Festival

    Competition Shorts: Programme One

    1.31 KM
    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 10:30am

    Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.

    Find Out More
  • Competition Shorts: Programme Two
    Competition Shorts: Programme Two
    Belfast Film Festival

    Competition Shorts: Programme Two

    1.31 KM
    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 12:00pm

    Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.

    Find Out More
  • Competition Shorts: Programme Three
    Competition Shorts: Programme Three
    Belfast Film Festival

    Competition Shorts: Programme Three

    1.31 KM
    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 1:30pm

    Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.

    Find Out More
  • Competition Shorts: Programme Four
    Competition Shorts: Programme Four
    Belfast Film Festival

    Competition Shorts: Programme Four

    1.31 KM
    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 3:00pm

    Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.

    Find Out More
  • Ultra Dogme presents Now Serving: Experimental Shorts by Trans Filmmakers
    Ultra Dogme presents Now Serving: Experimental Shorts by Trans Filmmakers
    Belfast Film Festival

    Ultra Dogme presents Now Serving: Experimental Shorts by Trans Filmmakers

    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 3:00pm

    Ultra Dogme presents Now Serving, a programme of five radical works of cinema by trans filmmakers.

    Find Out More
  • POV: Getting into Film
    POV: Getting into Film
    Belfast Film Festival

    POV: Getting into Film

    Sat, 02 Nov 2024, 4:30pm

    Belfast Film Festival presents, as part of our Belfast 2024 commissioned project, The Hearth: an all star panel…

    Find Out More
Ask Us
Ask Us

We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a really odd question, then we're here for you.

Ask A Question

Ask a Question

"*" indicates required fields

Start
Choose a date
End
Choose a date
Back To Top
In order to display distances relevant to you, we'd like to be able to use your GPS location. Privacy Policy
In order to display distances relevant to your current position, we'd need to be able to use your GPS location. To find out more about how we use your location, please read our Privacy Policy
You have previously denied access to your GPS location. In order to allow access to your location, you need to update your site settings through your browser settings to allow this site access to your location.

To find out more about how we use your location, please read our Privacy Policy
Your settings have been updated. They will take effect next time you refresh the page.
By default, all distances on the site are calculated from Belfast City Centre. You can choose a different starting point here, or specify your own.

If you select a location more than 15km from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, your location will be set to Belfast City Centre.

Open 'Ask a Question' window Close 'Ask a Question' window

Ask a Question

X

"*" indicates required fields

Hide this tool

Open 'Sign up for Newsletter' window Close 'Sign up for Newsletter' window

Visit Belfast Newsletter

X

Sign up to the Visit Belfast newsletter and receive inspiring ideas, events and offers which showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Sign-Up

Hide this tool