Photo du film The Silence of the Lambs (Le Silence des agneaux ) © DR
The ghost of Hannibal Lecter haunts the Cinéma de la Plage in The Silence of the Lambs
A terrifying film that dramatises an obsessional relationship between a cannibal and a young FBI agent, The Silence of the Lambs – directed by the American Jonathan Demme in 1991 – is now a cinema classic. Here are three good reasons to revisit this superb Oscar-winning thriller at the Cinéma de la Plage.
For its incredible portrayal of evil
Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter, a cannibal and talented psychiatrist, whose disturbing personality has captivated audiences for generations. Due to Lecter's multiple and false personalities – by turns deadly, manipulative and seductive – the character achieved cult status for the personification of evil and went on to feature in numerous other dramas adapted from the novels by Thomas Harris, including Hannibal Rising, directed by Peter Webber, and the TV series Hannibal.
Because of its all-star cast
Playing opposite Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster took the role of a young FBI recruit, sent to investigate the crimes of a serial killer. Both were awarded Oscars for their performances, winning Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1992. Further Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay made this thriller one of the very few films to be awarded the five most prestigious Oscars.
In tribute to its director
Jonathan Demme, who passed away in 2017, was a master of shifting between cinema genres. From the Talking Heads concert film to Ricki and the Flash – a dramatic comedy starring Meryl Streep – or the magnificent drama Philadelphia, which earned Tom Hanks an Oscar for Best Actor, and the documentary The Agronomist, his filmography was a reflection of the director himself: committed and courageous.
