Ball State students will get a taste of film noir and the classic crime caper Sunday night in Pruis Hall. The University Film Committee's presentation of "Rififi," the classic 1955 French heist film, shows at 7:30 p.m.
"The story centers on four men who plan the perfect crime without thinking to predict and plan for arguably the biggest obstacle of all, that of human nature," senior film committee member Luke Mullen said.
"Rififi"'s signature scene is its suspenseful 32-minute safecracking and jewelry store robbery sequence, which is completely devoid of dialogue and music.
Mullen said that "Rififi" is considered by many to be a forerunner to the modern gangster film.
"You can easily see the effect this film has had on many classic crime capers such as the original versions of 'The Italian Job' and 'Ocean's Eleven,'" Mullen said. The film is also hailed as a forerunner to modern film noir pieces such as "Sin City."
The black-and-white film was directed by American expatriate Jules Dassin, who was blacklisted as an alleged communism during the McCarthy era. It is said to have revived Dassin's failing career.
Film Committee Chair Dr. Chris Shea said that the film will give viewers a glimpse into the future as well as the past.
"Many members of the Film Committee knew 'Rififi' was scheduled to be remade with Al Pacino in the lead," Shea said. "The film is currently in production and will be released in 2007," she added. "We thought we'd give you all the chance to lean over to that significant other in the theater and say, "Ever see the original?"
The film takes place in Paris and all of its dialogue is in French. The American release of the film, which will be shown in Pruis, features English subtitles.
"With any film in a foreign language, there are certain aspects that people familiar with the language may pick up on that others might not, such as choices made in translation or certain cultural differences, so certainly the experience will be different for everyone," Mullen said.
"Rififi" is part of the University Film Committee's spring series.
"The Film Committee strives to select outstanding cinematic achievements that many students and members of the community may not have had the opportunity to see yet," Mullen said.
As with all University Film Series events, admission is free to students.
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