Director John Frankenheimer had a run of incredible films in the 1960s ("The Manchurian Candidate", "Seven Days in May"), but none compared to the uncanny ferociously profound indictment of the culture that was "Seconds" released in 1966, playing Friday 9/12 at Facets Film Forum. Facets film programmer Lee Kepraios calls it a forerunner to the 2024 film, "The Substance", and aptly describes the movie as:
"a profoundly unfulfilled middle-aged banker stumbles onto a shadowy corporation called “The Company” that offers a cutting-edge escape from his growing ennui: a hi-tech conversion to a new, young body (that of Rock Hudson) and a fresh, bohemian identity.
Playing almost like a feature-length Twilight Zone episode, this way-ahead-of-its time piece of 60’s self-examination perfectly captures the ongoing American obsession with youth and vitality that’s every bit as pervasive today – stunningly highlighted by cinematographer James Wong Howe’s eye for the hip Big Sur milieu in which Hudson’s reborn artist is given his second chance at the dream life."
In addition to the movie, there will be a discussion about it afterwards with programmer Lee Kepraios, plus a pop-up bookstore in the lobby for Open Books ( https://www.open-books.org/ ) who sell donated books to fund literacy programs. And after that we'll head over to the nearby Warehouse Pizzeria on 1419 W Fullerton to talk more of the movie and Frankenheimer's contributions to it (plus considering its subject matter, some may want a drink afterwards!)
(Speaking of subject matter, while the movie is not particularly gory and there's plenty to enjoy and value from its warped imagery and performances (especially Alan Rudolph and Rock Hudson (!!!)), it needs to be noted this is an uncompromising movie as psychologically brutal as it is perceptive, with some heavy themes about people and society. So if you prefer your movie experiences to have happy endings, you may want to be careful about viewing this one.)
