The Director Approved Screening of Keoma (1976)
Friday 25th May - 9pm (The Italian Cultural Institute)

During the 1970s, leading European director Enzo G. Castellari and acting legend Franco Nero crafted a series of hugely influential thrillers and westerns, which successfully adapted genre tropes to fit wider fears of political violence endemic during the decade. As the pinnacle of their collaboration, the pair created one of the last and most extreme spaghetti westerns ever made: Keoma (1976). In the film, Franco Nero (Django, Die Hard 2) is cast as a mixed-race renegade who on returning to his hometown finds it is now ruled by Caldwell, a sadistic local villain. To make matters worse, Keoma discovers his half-brothers have joined Caldwell’s evil gang. Intent on restoring law and order, Keoma is aided by his childhood friend, the  banjo-playing freed slave George (Woody Strode), who also vows to fight the horde of ruthless killers to the bitter deadly end.  Defined by Channel 4 as “A brutal blood-soaked classic, Keoma is remarkable for its cynicism, filth-encrusted imagery and merciless violence”, the film became an instant cult classic at the time of its release.

Enzo G. Castellari has personally chosen this screening to accompany his visit to Cine-Excess VI, and we are delighted that he will be introducing the film on Friday 25th May at 9pm following his participation in the special ‘Years With(out) Lead’ panel discussion.

Screening courtesy of Argent Films.   

This screening is open to cinema goers over the age of 18, and tickets are priced at £7 each including entry to the preceding panel discussion. The screening is also free to all Cine-Excess VI delegates holding a full or day rate pass.

Early booking is advised. Please book online with the Italian Cultural Institute: Book Online   

Image courtesy of Argent Films