Event

CEMETERY WITHOUT CROSSES

dir. Robert Hossein 1969.
Italy. 85 min.

Presented by AGFA.

After her husband is mercilessly hanged by a ruthless land baron, Maria implores Manuel, an old flame, to infiltrate the killers ranch and wreak vengeance. Manuel reluctantly leaves the ghost town where he lives to embark on the mission, but is ever haunted by his unrequited affection for Maria.

Prolific French actor Robert Hossein directed and starred in this inspired homage to his friend Sergio Leone. As sharpshooter Manuel, he dons one black glove (channeling the cool of garage rock band The Music Machine?) and imbues the whole production with laconic ennui. A visually striking and brooding picture, the requisite gritty and violent tropes are delivered with an artistic fervor ahead of its time.

"A French take on the Italians take on American genres -- a baguette western! Inspired by the international success of Sergio Leones DOLLARS trilogy, and armed with the catchiest of theme songs via international cult figure Scott Walker, CEMETERY WITHOUT CROSSES offers a Gallic spin on the Euro gunslinger pic." - AGFA.