American Gangster (MA 15+) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

American Gangster (MA 15+, 2007) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth in partnership with RAC

In 1968 Harlem, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) works as a driver and collector for dying mobster Bumpy Johnson. When Bumpy dies, Frank seizes the opportunity to build his own empire by cutting out the middleman—traveling to Southeast Asia to buy heroin directly from suppliers, then smuggling it back in the coffins of dead American servicemen. His Blue Magic product is purer and cheaper than anything on the streets, making Frank the most powerful drug lord in New York while he maintains a low profile and invests in legitimate businesses. Meanwhile, honest detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) investigates the drug trade while navigating his own troubles—a messy custody battle and corrupt fellow cops. As Roberts slowly unravels the mystery of who's flooding the streets with Blue Magic, his investigation leads him to the one gangster who doesn't fit the stereotype: the quiet, business-suited Frank Lucas.

Director Ridley Scott crafts an epic crime saga that spans the Vietnam War era through the mid-1970s, examining the American criminal enterprise as mirror to legitimate business. The 2007 film benefits enormously from Denzel Washington's performance, making Frank both ruthless businessman and family man guided by his own moral code. Russell Crowe brings integrity and complexity to Roberts, a cop whose honesty makes him an outcast. Steven Zaillian's script, based on true events, creates parallel narratives that build toward inevitable collision. Harris Savides's cinematography captures period detail authentically, while the film's examination of corruption, ambition, and the American Dream adds depth to the crime story. The supporting cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor and Josh Brolin, fills out a world where everyone has an angle.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Wednesday, June 17th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: MA 15+ (Strong violence, Strong drug use)

Scott's epic crime saga tracks Washington's businessman gangster and Crowe's honest cop on collision course - experience in 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth and RAC