Ned Rifle
Directed by
2014
When Ned Rifle turns 18, he decides to leave the witness protection programme and kill his father Henry. (...) The final part of Hal Hartley’s underground trilogy about Henry, Fay and their son Ned concentrates on the eponymous young hero, who with God’s help wants to commit a murder. Making good use of traditional Hartleyesque irony and finely absurd but never misanthropic humour, this icon of US independent cinema weaves a tale of revenge, failure and family ties. (Festival information)
The final installment of Hartley's trilogy, Ned Rifle stands on its own as an engaging study of human nature and religious motives. Lead character Ned Rifle leaves his adoptive religious household when he turns 18 to kill his father in pursuit of his mother's revenge (the subjects of the two previous films in the trilogy, Henry Fool and Fay Grim). On his journey Ned interacts with the family stalker, his uncle, his mother and his father as he seeks redemption. Beautiful cinematography and an engaging script combine drama, comedy and a keen philosophical exploration of the nature of good and evil. (Photo: © Hal Hartley)