John McTiernan, director of PREDATOR (1987) and DIE HARD (1988), will attend the 22nd edition of the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF, 30 juin – 8 juillet)! The American filmmaker is a guest of honour of the festival and a member of the International Jury. He will participate in a public event and present three of his most iconic movies.
As a figurehead of modern action cinema, John McTiernan has had a lasting impact on fans of cinematic thrills. After his independent debut film — the horror feature NOMADS (1986) — McTiernan laid the foundation for efficient, hard-hitting modern action with the sci-fi actioner PREDATOR (1987), which made him one of the top tier Hollywood filmmakers of the late 1980s. The film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger spawned a multimedia franchise including multiple movies, comics, and video games. In 1988, the director doubled down with the classic actioner DIE HARD, the film that made Bruce Willis a star, and also introduced a new popular hero to the world, one who could crack jokes as well as gun down terrorists.
Often copied but rarely equalled, this gripping thriller was met with great commercial and critical success. John McTiernan later directed DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (1995), the third film of the 5-part saga.
John McTiernan then confirmed his status as a multi-talented filmmaker in other genres, the tropes of which he subverted just as effortlessly. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990) is a Cold War underwater spy thriller that immersed the audience (and Sean Connery) in oppressively claustrophobic suspense. LAST ACTION HERO (1993), again starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a meta examination of the director’s own work that toys with action codes with humour and self-deprecation. In 1999, he remade the heist film THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (Norman Jewison, 1968) into an incredibly elegant, romantic, and riveting movie. Later, he tackled genres such as the historical epic (THE 13th WARRIOR, 1999), the science fiction blockbuster (ROLLERBALL, 2002), and the intricate thriller (BASIC, 2003).
The films of McTiernan have a unique flavour. His emblematic heroes are often played by some of the greatest icons in the genre, and the action is both spectacular and cleverly self-reflexive. Several of his movies have given rise to paradigm shifts leading to the appearance of many imitations. His work has changed pop culture and continues to inspire filmmakers.
On Sunday July 2nd, at 2p.m., the NIFFF audience will be able to meet the master in person during a discussion moderated by Rafaël Wolf (RTS). Three of his film will also be shown at the NIFFF, with the director in attendance.
COUNTDOWN TO NIFFF 2023
Tuesday, June 6th: Accreditation opening
Thursday, June 15th: Complete programme and online ticketing on NIFFF.CH
30 June – 8 July: NIFFF 22nd edition