Zabriskie Point | |
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Directed by | Michelangelo Antonioni |
Produced by | Carlo Ponti |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Michelangelo Antonioni |
Starring | |
Music by |
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Cinematography | Alfio Contini |
Edited by | Franco Arcalli |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date
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Running time
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112 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $7 million |
Box office | $1 million |
Zabriskie Point /zəˈbrɪski/ is a 1970 American drama film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, widely noted at the time for its setting in the counterculture of the United States. Some of the film's scenes were shot on location at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley. The film was the second of three English-language films that Antonioni had been contracted to direct for producer Carlo Ponti and to be distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The other two were Blowup (1966) and The Passenger (1975).
The film was an overwhelming commercial failure, and was panned by most critics upon release. Its critical standing has increased, however, since its release. It has to some extent achieved cult status and is noted for its cinematography, use of music, and direction.
In a room at a university campus in 1970, white and black students argue about an impending student strike. Mark (Mark Frechette) leaves the meeting after saying he is "willing to die, but not of boredom" for the cause, which draws criticism from the young white radicals. Following a mass arrest at the campus protest, Mark visits a police station hoping to bail his roommate out of jail. He is told to wait but goes to the lock-up area, asks further about bail for his roommate, is rebuffed, calls out to the arrested students and faculty and is arrested. He gives his name as Karl Marx, which a duty officer types as "Carl Marx". After he is released from jail, Mark and another friend buy firearms from a Los Angeles gun shop, saying they need them for "self-defense" to "protect our women."