Robert Aldrich (1918–83) was the director of international successes such as WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? and THE DIRTY DOZEN. With masterpieces such as the apocalyptic film noir KISS ME DEADLY and the disillusioned late Western ULZANA’S RAID, he redefined entire genres. He managed, with unparalleled consistency, to inscribe his personal, critical view of the world into popular cinema.
Although he was celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most important auteur filmmakers from the beginning of his career and has influenced generations of filmmakers ever since, his films are more famous than he is. This may be due to the rebellious attitude that shaped his films both thematically and the turbulent course of his career. At times, his inclination towards controversial subjects and his challenging demeanour even made him persona non grata in Hollywood. Yet until the very end, Aldrich tirelessly smuggled subversive messages into the dream factory. The retrospective presents Aldrich’s work almost in its entirety and in rare film prints.
