The wild, unexpected success of Easy Rider (1969) ushered in what is now seen as one of the most significant turning points in film history, making pathologically rebellious Dennis Hopper an unlikely King of Hollywood for a day. Hopper’s follow-up work, The Last Movie (1971), a deeply personal, but ultimately disastrous meditation on the meaning of cinema found Hopper drifting further and further into eccentricity. Captured by co-directors Lawrence Schiller and L.M. Kit Carson, The American Dreamer (1971) is a multi-faceted portrait of the life and mind of one of the 20th century’s great cinematic voices at the peak of his artistic and commercial success.

Shifting between being an insightful document of a complex artist (considered one of the true “enfant terribles” of Hollywood) in the midst of his creative process and a self-reflective exploration and explosion of vérité filmmaking tropes, The American Dreamer is a mesmerizing journey into the private world of one of Hollywood’s most hypnotic directors/stars. Fortuitously timed, fantastically made, and virtually unseen, The American Dreamer is the great 70s documentary you always wished existed.

Rediscovered, this previously lost film has now been digitally restored and will be released in partnership with BOND/360 Studios and Etiquette Pictures. Proceeds from the release of the film go to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, directly benefiting the restoration of classic films.

“The American Dreamer” is an objective, unsentimental portrait, fascinating in its detail, unrelenting as its subject, Schiller…has created an unusual, illuminating motion picture. – San Francisco Chronicle

Doors open at 18.30, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Spring Season 2015 ticketing applies.

Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.
Tickets also available from Frugl.