Free Movie: The American Friend (1977)

dir Wim Wenders

Director Wim Wenders pays loving homage to rough-and-tumble Hollywood film noir with The American Friend – a loose adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, Ripley’s Game. Actor Dennis Hopper oozes quirky menace in his portrayal of an amoral American art dealer who entangles a terminally ill German Everyman (played by Bruno Ganz) in a seedy criminal underworld as revenge for a personal slight. Filmed on location in Hamburg, Paris, and grimy, late-seventies New York City, Wenders’ international breakout mixes West German and American film flavors in this stripped-down crime story, featuring cameos by filmmakers Jean Eustache, Samuel Fuller, and Nicholas Ray.

Bardavon Presents our 24/25 film series, PREMIER PERFORMANCES. This year’s film choices focus on legendary stars of stage and screen in some of their most memorable roles. In addition to the screenings being free of charge, all nine films in the series are preceded by a Happy Hour, featuring half-price beer and wine, as well as free snacks and soda. For all films, Happy Hour starts at 6:30, followed by each screening at 7:30. Additionally, all Bardavon screenings feature a 30-minute pre-show concert by Juan Cardona Jr. on the Bardavon’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ, courtesy of NYTOS. Join us and experience a piece of cinematic history!