Stockholm Film Festival

As the Great Depression of the 1930’s ravages the American continent, disillusioned duo Gloria and Robert join forces to try their luck in a dance marathon: a bizarre spectacle of the times, where the last couple standing wins a cash price. Robert hopes to one day become a film director, clinging on to his dream although his chances of realizing it are slim. Gloria, on the other hand, is emotionally scarred from a failed romance and a botched suicide attempt. The ferocious competition gradually breaks her down.

Sydney Pollack’s Academy Award-winning breakthrough feature is a dark testimonial on how life turns into a cruel rat race, as hard times spawn its most desperate contestants. The film also explores the psychology of the individuals participating in a strange, unique phenomenon in American history. Cinematographer Phillip Lathrop produces feverishly uneasy images in this uncompromising allegory of the little people, forced to enter the seemingly perpetual hamster wheel of fortune.

Cast

Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York

Producer

Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler

Script

James Poe,

Cinematography

Philip H. Lathrop

Music

Johnny Green

Spoken language

English

See all the festival films from 2008