Guns
Robert Kramer, FR 1980Screenplay: Robert Kramer; Cinematography: Louis Bihi, Richard Copans, Claude Michaud, Eric Pittard; Editing: Valeria Sarmiento, Claudio Martinez, Yann Dedet, Monique Soussanmovie; Music: Barre Phillips; Cast: Patrick Bauchau, Juliet Berto, Peggy Frankston, Hermine Karagheuz, Robert Bonner. DCP (from 16mm), color, 95 min. French with English subtitles
As its title already indicates, this is a film about arms trafficking, but who is moving the weapons from where to where and for what purpose remains shrouded in mystery until the end. Journalist Toni (Patrick Bauchau) pursues various leads and ends up at the port of Marseille, but fails to shed light on to the impenetrable thicket of politically motivated crime and international corruption. Other stories intersect, sometimes only tangentially: actress Margot (Juliet Berto) is caring for her dying mother (Béatrice Lord); an American expat (Robert Kramer) and his blended family have taken in a bewildered mute woman (Hermine Karagheuz). Guns was not what French film critics were expecting from Kramer. Today, viewed with the distance of four decades, the film is worth rediscovering for Kramer's attempt to connect with Jacques Rivette's playful forms. While he fails in his goal, he does so in mysterious, fascinating fashion. (V.P.)
With Richard Copans in attendance on October 20, 2024
Screening dates:
