Assault on Precinct 13

John Carpenter's low-budget widescreen masterpiece, in which every meticulously calculated frame reveals a precise understanding of the effects that can be achieved with limited resources. It is also a prime example of genre revision: the main characters and the basic idea of Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo are transplanted to a modern suburb, where an anonymous threat may lurk in every shadow, behind every ledge. A black police officer, a man sentenced to death and a secretary fight to defend a deserted police station against an unexplained onslaught of street gangs. An enormously violent yet dryly sarcastic film, but both in a minimalist, almost matter-of-fact, incredibly effective way. A glance outside, onto the street, after a bloody battle: ‘From a distance, the street looks normal. Like nothing happened.’ (C.H.) The retrospective will open with a pre-programme featuring Carpenter trailers and two short treats.

Introduction by Christoph Huber on 4 September 2025.