Screenshot Hitmen
Jan 31, 2025
Christina Newland, a film critic specializing in crime cinema, joins director Ben Wheatley and academic Ginette Vincendeau to explore the evolution of hitmen in film. They discuss the transformation from simplistic thugs to complex characters, highlighting iconic films like 'Le Samouraï' and the nuances of female assassins. The trio delves into the moral implications of violence in entertainment and the cultural significance of these characters, revealing how the hitman archetype reflects societal norms and challenges genre conventions.
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Crime Parallels Financial Corruption
- Killing Them Softly links the amoral underworld with corrupt financial elites during the 2008 crash.
- It parallels criminal greed with systemic economic greed, blurring moral distinctions.
Le Samurai’s Minimalist Artistry
- Le Samurai uses minimal action and mystery to create a tense, ritualized atmosphere.
- Alain Delon’s portrayal embodies internalized violence and elegant professionalism.
French Hybrid of Gangster and Samurai
- Le Samurai is a French reworking of American gangster and samurai genres with little action.
- It omits psychological explanations in favor of style and intellectual reflection on genre.
