Mr. Freedom
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Mr. Freedom

William Klein’s Mr. Freedom, 1968. Photo courtesy the Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection.

“William Klein’s spoof of American patriotism is even more relevant today … a political takedown of American imperialism, veiled in satire and superhero tropes.” —Interview Magazine

A raucous lampoon of American imperialism and self-righteousness, William Klein’s subversive farce follows a ruggedly handsome, arrogant superhero who goes to Paris to defeat Communism. An often-hilarious takedown, Mr. Freedom is filled with exaggerated blowhard narratives about supremacy, capitalism, and patriotic excess delivered by a dim-witted, trigger-happy leader in tight pants. The Vietnam-era lampoon with dazzling Pop art visuals shows the absurdly dangerous qualities of the film’s reckless, narcissistic leader. 1968, 35mm, 92 min.

Funding

  • This program is made possible with the generous support of the Bentson Foundation.