The Directors’ Fortnight emerged in 1969 as an answer to the Cannes Film Festival after its 1968 shutdown due to protests spreading across France. The non-competitive festival takes place simultaneously in Cannes and focuses on new discoveries and directors who are on the cutting edge. Directors’ Fortnight has been proud to present the French premieres of debut films by Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Nagisa Oshima, Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee, and many others. The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s series celebrates Directors’ Fortnight with a thrilling selection of films from their 40-year history. A co-presentation with Directors’ Fortnight, uniFrance, the French Cultural Services and French Institute Alliance Francaise.

Chris Petit’s Radio On (Directors’ Fortnight 1980) follows a London DJ who hits the road to investigate the mysterious death of his brother. This loose framework sets the stage for an anti-road movie where the protagonist has a series of chance encounters with various lost souls, none of whom he is able to communicate with or understand. Co-produced by Wim Wenders, Radio On captures the alienation many in Britain felt as the ’70s limped into the ’80s. Watch the trailer here.

Radio On: part of BAM’s Directors’ Fortnight at 40
Sat, June 21st at 2pm & 7pm