Dirty Money (1972)

About Dirty Money (1972)

Not to be confused with Jean-Pierre Melville’s final film Un Flic (released in English speaking markets as Dirty Money), Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand’s Dirty Money released in the same year announced a new auteur working across the pond. The first film of Arcand’s Crime Trilogy and the filmmaker’s debut narrative feature, Dirty Money is a tense thriller told through constantly shifting perspectives set across a grimy, early 70s Montreal.

The film’s opening scenes introduce us to Roland and Berthe, a French Canadian couple struggling to make ends meet. After being offended by a visit by Roland’s affluent uncle Arthur who presents the couple with a gift of $500, the couple devises a plan to rob him of more money. With the help of a few threatening henchmen, the gang descends upon Arthur’s house at nightfall, only to learn there might be another party interested in the cash…

A criminally underseen bit of neo-noir Canuxploitation that precedes the legendary crime thrillers of the Coen Brothers, Dirty Money is a bleak portrayal of greed, violence and revenge that you won’t want to miss!

“A bracingly unsentimental chronicle of greed and betrayal that’s reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Melville in its minimalist approach to genre and impressive stylistic command, yet deeply rooted in the landscapes and temperament of provincial Quebec, DIRTY MONEY is an under-recognized neo-noir classic.” (Anthology Film Archives)

Trigger warning: sex, violence, injury detail.

We have also allocated a number of free accessible tickets for those not in a position to pay. If you would like to help support our free ticket initiative, you can pay it forward here. 

Leith Kino!

A weekly community cinema night based at Leith Depot.

Join us for weekly screenings, celebrating films that are international, experimental, arthouse, trash, cult, a little bit strange, and maybe otherwise hard to see on the big screen.

There will be free (vegan) popcorn. Drinks and refreshments are available to purchase at the Depot bar, alongside our monthly posters, each designed by a different Leith-based artist.

Leith Kino Access Information

• English subtitles will be onscreen for every screening, including descriptive subtitles where possible.
• The screening room is on ground level and is wheelchair accessible from the Leith Depot bar with flexible seating to accommodate specific requirements.
  There are accessible toilets in both the screening room and the bar.
• If you have any questions about access or if you need to reserve a specific seat, please email us at leithkino@gmail.com
• Leith Depot is well-served by public transport. It's a short walk from the Foot of the Walk tram stop, and there is a bus stop outside the venue for services: 7, 14, 16, 25, and 49