Coming Soon
COCKFIGHTER w/ Kier-La Janisse
1974
This movie contains real animal violence.
Director
Monte Hellman
Starring
Warren Oates
Harry Dean Stanton
Richard B. Shull
Ed Begley, Jr
Laurie Bird
This movie contains real animal violence.
Runtime
83 minutes
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Director Monte Hellman (TWO LANE BLACKTOP) brings a terse wit to the picaresque fortunes of Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates), a star handler of fighting birds who loses his car, his trailer, and his woman in a bad bet, made while under a self-imposed vow of silence taken in pursuit of the game’s highest prize. Join us for a special screening with author Kier-La Janisse in celebration of her new book COCKFIGHT: A FABLE OF FAILURE.
From publisher Spectacular Optical:
There is no shortage of loaded — and often gendered — symbolism in the sport of cockfighting. And this becomes a starting point for author Kier-La Janisse (who broke new ground in film criticism with her 2012 book HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN) to investigate the themes of obsession, competition, mobility and nobility that dominate the hyper-masculine world of Monte Hellman’s existential and controversial film, COCKFIGHTER, based on the 1962 novel by crime writer Charles Willeford.
Infamously touted as the only movie that producer Roger Corman ever lost money on, COCKFIGHTER stars character actor Warren Oates as Frank Mansfield, a career cocker who has taken a vow of silence until he can win the Cockfighter of the Year Award. Surrounded by fellow cockfighters played by Harry Dean Stanton, Ed Begley, Jr, Steve Railsback, Richard B. Shull and even author/screenwriter Charles Willeford himself, the film traverses the underground cockfighting world of the Deep South, with a highly detailed documentation of this unique subculture brought vividly to life by esteemed cinematographer Nestor Almendros.
Densely illustrated and featuring interviews with director Monte Hellman, producer Roger Corman and several surviving cast and crew members, Janisse’s study explores the many mythologies that intersect in COCKFIGHTER, approaching the story and its backdrop through a variety of lenses, using a combination of cultural criticism, production history and even personal anecdotes, as the author delves into the contradictory world of cockfighting in the American South. At its core it is a story about work, honor, conviction and finding religion and beauty in strange places.
A limited number of books will be available for purchase. Arrive early to secure a copy!
From publisher Spectacular Optical:
There is no shortage of loaded — and often gendered — symbolism in the sport of cockfighting. And this becomes a starting point for author Kier-La Janisse (who broke new ground in film criticism with her 2012 book HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN) to investigate the themes of obsession, competition, mobility and nobility that dominate the hyper-masculine world of Monte Hellman’s existential and controversial film, COCKFIGHTER, based on the 1962 novel by crime writer Charles Willeford.
Infamously touted as the only movie that producer Roger Corman ever lost money on, COCKFIGHTER stars character actor Warren Oates as Frank Mansfield, a career cocker who has taken a vow of silence until he can win the Cockfighter of the Year Award. Surrounded by fellow cockfighters played by Harry Dean Stanton, Ed Begley, Jr, Steve Railsback, Richard B. Shull and even author/screenwriter Charles Willeford himself, the film traverses the underground cockfighting world of the Deep South, with a highly detailed documentation of this unique subculture brought vividly to life by esteemed cinematographer Nestor Almendros.
Densely illustrated and featuring interviews with director Monte Hellman, producer Roger Corman and several surviving cast and crew members, Janisse’s study explores the many mythologies that intersect in COCKFIGHTER, approaching the story and its backdrop through a variety of lenses, using a combination of cultural criticism, production history and even personal anecdotes, as the author delves into the contradictory world of cockfighting in the American South. At its core it is a story about work, honor, conviction and finding religion and beauty in strange places.
A limited number of books will be available for purchase. Arrive early to secure a copy!