The now cult film "Friend from America" is based on Patricia Highsmirth's novel The Game of Ripper. Jonathan is convinced that he will soon die of blood disease. Jonathan's friend from America, cowboy Ripley, decides to take advantage of his illness. Ripley introduces him to gangsters. These offer Jonathan to become a professional killer and thus secure a legacy for his family. After all, he will die soon, so he has nothing to lose. Ripley’s plan was to entrust Jonathan to do all the dirty work, but things start to change when men make friends.
"All films are political. The most political are those films that pretend not to be like that, ie "entertainment" films. Such films are most political because they silence the likelihood of change. With each shot, they claim that everything is as good as it is. They are an ongoing advertisement for the status quo. It seems to me that “Friend from America” is a different movie. Yes, it’s good and interesting entertainment, but it doesn’t advertise anything. On the contrary, everything in it is dangerously open. The film does not speak to the viewer as if from above. The characters are not puppets, there are no puppets in the film. "We are considered puppets in most" political "films," says Wenders.
- Languages
- German
- Subtitles
- Lithuanian, English
- Original title
- Der amerikanische Freund
- Produced
- 1977: Germany, France