The Conversation

Filmed between instalments of Coppola’s Godfather crime epic, The Conversation originally opened at the height of the Watergate Scandal and just months before the resignation of President Nixon, deftly tapping into America’s escalating atmosphere of paranoia and disillusionment. Hackman plays brilliantly against type as ‘the best bugger on the west coast’, a shy, reclusive surveillance expert hired to eavesdrop on an adulterous couple, only to become increasingly obsessed with his targets, and paranoid about his own privacy. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, The Conversation becomes increasingly relevant with each passing year. A cautionary tale on the invasive nature of technology, its ability to distance and isolate individuals, and how an information echo chamber breeds distrust and fear, the film remains a riveting and brilliantly unsettling experience.

Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or