William Friedkin in Focus: To Live and Die in L.A.

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.

To Live and Die in L.A.

Friedkin left the grit and grime of the 1970s behind and moved into the neons and pastels of the 1980s with To Live and Die in L.A. Secret Service agent Richard Chance and his partner foil an assassination attempt on President Reagan. They are assigned to L.A. to tackle a counterfeiting operation, where Chance’s partner is killed. Thus begins a bloody and reckless campaign to take down counterfeiter Eric Masters, played by a menacing Willem Dafoe.

Beautifully shot by legendary cinematographer Robby Müller, they perfectly capture the moral murkiness hiding beneath the picture-perfect sunbaked exteriors. Friedkin’s jaded view of institutions filters through every set-piece in this action thriller, with Chance’s increasingly corrupt actions sparking more and more violence, culminating in another legendary car chase (which Müller himself was too afraid to shoot).

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

Part of Belfast Film Festival>>