The Ax
New York Premiere

The Ax

| France, Spain, Belgium | 125 MINUTES | French

A laid-off worker devises a novel approach to finding a new job-by physically "eliminating" other possible applicants-in this mercilessly entertaining comedy from director Costa-Gavras (Z, Missing). Based on a pulp novel by American author Donald Westlake, The Ax puts outsourcing, downsizing, and other 21st Century business trends where they belong: on the chopping block. When we first meet the middle-aged Bruno, he appears to be a not-so-polished international assassin, but as he confesses his life's story we realize that murder is merely a stepping stone to a more ruthless dream: rejoining corporate life. Having been made redundant from his job in the paper-making industry, Bruno was unemployed, bitter, and humiliated for over two years until he decided to adapt capitalism's market forces to the labor market; in other words, to eliminate all competition, by any means necessary. When a prime job at a paper factory opens up, Bruno gathers the names of potential candidates, and starts "downsizing." Still a loving father and good husband, Bruno juggles dinner with his kids, couples counseling with his wife, and body disposals. José Garcia gives Bruno a bumbling appeal in his single-minded approach to avoiding "the ax," while Olivier Gourmet is suitably steel-jawed as a rival businessman high on Bruno's "redundancy" list. Like Battle Royale in a Wall Street setting, The Ax takes the logic of capitalism to its illogical extreme, and makes sure you will never hear a CEO talk of "making a killing" the same way again.

* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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