“The American Dreamer” (Corda Productions, 1971)

Filmed after Dennis Hopper’s breakout hit as writer-director and star “Easy Rider,” and in the midst of his soon-to- be tragic follow up “Last Movie,” this barely-released documentary took on added meaning in revealing the excesses that contributed to Hopper’s Wellesian implosion. Situated between a critique and a wake for Hopper’s ideals, perhaps we can optimistically see it as a reminder that the perpetual end-of- times cinema it seems to be facing is actually what keeps it going, no matter the dangerous levels of hubris. The hi-def digital copy is on loan from Vinegar Syndrome distribution company and film archive.

“The Last Movie” (Universal, 1971– R-rated *)

Dennis Hopper wrote, directed and stars in this tale of a stunt man working on a Western being shot on location in Peru. When he stays behind after the crew leaves, he discovers that the villagers are ritualistically re-enacting the making of the film– but they don’t understand that all the violence they’d seen was make-believe. Seen as an allegory of Hollywood’s cultural imperialism, the film won the Critics Prize at the 1971 Venice Film Festival. With Cinematography by American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Award Winner László Kovács, the cast also includes Julie Adams, Peter Fonda, Kris Kristofferson, Michelle Phillips and Dean Stockwell. The 35 mm print is courtesy of the Academy Film Archives.*No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian. Free, at the Library of Congress Packard Campus Theater located at 19053 Mt. Pony Rd. in Culpeper, VA. No reservations required. For more information, call 202-707- 9994.