Media Contacts: Lainé Slater, laine@viff.org
604-685-0260
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"Might be the most radioactive portrait of American divisiveness and oppression ever made."– Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

NEW 35mm Print

PUNISHMENT PARK
Jan 8 - 14

  
 

January 8, 12, 14 - 6:30, Sat Jan 9 - 6:45, Sun Jan 10 - 7:00, Jan 11, 13 - 8:15

Director: Peter Watkins // USA 1971 // 88 mins // 35mm

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This remarkable film is the only US feature from the great radical filmmaker Peter Watkins (The War Game). A provocative and satiric allegory, it imagines a divided America throwing its peaceniks to the wolves. Persons deemed "a risk to internal security" face a tribunal of ordinary citizens, or they take their chances in Punishment Park, running a Battle Royale-style gauntlet of armed officers as they race across 53 miles of arid California desert.


"This reactionary powder keg of a movie... still feels strong, provocative, and necessary. Looking back on history reminds us of the differences and similarities between then and now, and Watkins serves up a time capsule from 1971 that, in a historical context, shows that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It is not a documentary serving up fact, it is an extreme, incendiary allegory stirring up deeper truths." - Jeremiah Kipp, Slant magazine

IMDB Listing

Read a review on the BBC

Read about the film on Peter Watkins' site

Photos at VIFC

  

VIFC TICKETS AND INFO

Call the FILM INFO LINE: 604.683.FILM (3456) for the latest info and listings. Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line at www.vifc.org or in person 30 minutes before showtime.

Adult tickets: $10 (Double Bill - $13)
Student/Senior $8 (Double Bill - $11)
Matinees $8

As a registered non-profit society, the VIFC screens films that have not always been seen by the BC Film Classification Board. Under BC law, any person wishing to see these unclassified films must belong to the VIFC Society and be 19 years or older. Valid for one year based on the date of purchase, the VIFC basic membership cost is $2.00.

For More Membership Information go to http://www.vifc.org/membership.html.

Vancity Theatre is located at 1181 Seymour St. (at Davie)