mike@projection-booth.com mike@projection-booth.com

January 13, 2012

Special Report: Punishment Park (1971)

Special Guests: Joseph A. Gomez, Jon Dieringer

In this special #Occupy edition of the Projection Booth, we look at Peter Watkins's seminal faux documentary film Punishment Park (1971) and discuss what it means forty years later.

Links:
Buy Punishment Park on DVD
Peter Watkins's Official Site
Occupy Cinema
Buy Punishment Park on DVD

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2 comments:

  1. Remington ThunderknifeFeb 25, 2014, 9:08:00 AM

    I have to admit: I'm a little late to the game. Just found your podcast a couple of weeks ago, the SONG OF THE SOUTH-episode was the first one I've listened to and it's been a delight. Still having some catching up to do, but by now I'm almost halfway through. Love your selection of movies and your approach - didn't like the controverse and energy regarding THE LAST ACTION HERO that much, so I'm very happy it didn't went that way. This thing you guys keep putting together really amazes me and is very much appreciated: THANKS A LOT!

    Not much to add about PUNISHMENT PARK at this point, there are two movies I'd like to recommend:
    As I noticed your interest in those 'people hunting people'-movies, I was wondering if you already know about the german TV movie DAS MILLIONENSPIEL (Tom Toelle, 1970). If not, you should definitly check it out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Millionenspiel
    And then there's this faux documentary called THE FORBIDDEN QUEST (Peter Delpeut, 1993) which handles real found footage (archived footage of early 20th century's polar expeditions) to tell a supernatural story about the disappearence of the Hollandia - I think you would like this one as well (Guy Maddin?): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forbidden_Quest

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  2. Remington,

    Thanks so much for writing. I've not seen The Forbidden Quest but it sounds like I'll have to check it out.

    I have seen Das Millionspiel a few years back. I wrote an article for Cashiers du Cinemart about "People Hunting People" films like that, Series 7, Battle Royale (two other episodes), The Prize of Peril, The 10th Victim, etc. Apart from the ones we've done shows on, I think Das Millionspiel is the best of the bunch. I can really see The Running Man (film) taking a lot from it. I often describe it that The Running Man movie is closer to Das Millionspiel than it was to the "Richard Bachman" book).

    Glad you're digging the show. It's definitely calmed down after the Last Action Hero debacle. :)

    - Mike

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