The Connection (1962)
Directed by Shirley Clarke
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Addiction Drama, Docudrama, Urban Drama, Message Movie |
Release Date - May 1, 1961 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 110 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Experimental director Shirley Clarke's first feature film is a no-compromise look at the dead-end world of drug addiction in Manhattan. Awaiting their next "connection", eight dopers sit in a bleak New York loft. The addicts agree to allow filmmaker William Redfield to shoot a documentary of their lifestyle--for a price. When their connection arrives, he suspects the filmmaker of being a narc and abruptly runs away. The film ends with Redfield agreeing to try some heroin himself in order to more thoroughly understand his "actors". While it appears totally improvised (especially a supposedly impromptu jam session with four musician junkies), The Connection was adapted from a play by Jack Gelber. Roscoe Lee Browne appears in the cast in one of his earliest movie roles.
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Keywords
heroin, jazz, addiction, drug-dealer, filmmaker, jam-session