Patty Hearst
Introduction by Alex Ross Perry
Screening on Film
Screening on Film
Directed by Paul Schrader.
With Natasha Richardson, William Forsythe, Ving Rhames.
US, 1988, 35mm, color, 108 min.
Print source: HFA
With Natasha Richardson, William Forsythe, Ving Rhames.
US, 1988, 35mm, color, 108 min.
Print source: HFA
Full disclosure: I have not seen this movie. But what is the point of a carte blanche if I am not able to cross an elusive white whale off of my list? Paul Schrader is one of my favorite filmmakers, and his influence on me as a chronicler of the angry, misunderstood and isolated cannot be overstated. American Gigolo is another top-10 entry for me, and for years I have tried to get somebody to screen Patty Hearst so I could finally see how Schrader handles this particular female protagonist, as opposed to his usual lonely, angry man. I think a print of this played once in New York, though I cannot imagine how or why I missed it. Anyway, I made a short documentary on Paul that should now be available on the Criterion Channel. – ARP