Simple Men

Dennis is a quietly handsome and bookish college student. His older brother, Bill, is a womanizer and a thief. Thrown together to search for their long-lost dad, they confront their expectations of each other, and their attitudes towards women. Simple Men is one of Hartley's main films where one feels the influence of a certain aesthetic and vibe of European cinema, in particular, the Godardian “model”.

Duration: 105’
Production year: 1992
Country: US, GB
Language: EN Subtitles: PT

Cannes Film Festival 1992 – Official Selection in Competition

Hal Hartley

In the landscape of American independent cinema, Hal Hartley (b. 1959) remains a well-kept secret. Why? Because, unlike other filmmakers of his generation, he has maintained an unwavering fidelity to the true meaning of the word “independent” – in addition to running his own production company (Possible Films), he refuses to give up a rigorous method that ranges from the most technical element to the most philosophical or eccentric dialogue.

He began in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the distinctive mark of the romantic comedy (The Unbelievable Truth, Trust), and continued with a cinema grounded in ambiguity and a delight in language. Joining this LEFFEST retrospective is the European premiere of his latest film, Where to Land, in Competition.

Original title: Simple Men

Hal Hartley

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