Bringing together Fritz Lang, Jean-Luc Godard, and Brigitte Bardot Le Mépris is a tour de force of 20th century filmmaking. The film tells two stories at once. It comments on the film industry and its constant conflict between artistic expression and commercial opportunity: Fritz Lang, who plays himself, is hired by a wealthy American producer to direct an adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. However, he quickly grows dissatisfied with Lang’s ambition to make an art film and hires Paul to rewrite the script. In the process of reworking the story, Paul and his wife Camille drift apart, displaying parallels to both, the Odyssey itself and to Godard’s own relationship with his wife.

FR-IT, 1963, 102mins, English, directed by Jean-Luc Godard

Fritz Lang in America Programme

Wednesday 2 November, 7pm
Opening Film & Reception 
You Only Live Once
Tuesday 8 November, 7pm
Hangman Also Die
Thursday 17 November, 7pm
Ministry of Fear 
Thursday 24 November, 7pm
The Woman in the Window
Thursday 1 December, 7pm
Secret Beyond the Door
Monday 5 December, 7pm
The Big Heat
Tuesday 13 December, 7pm
Human Desire
Thursday 15 December, 7pm
 Le Mépris