Paris, Texas

A Palme d’Or winner that might rightly be considered the pinnacle of the careers of both director and star, and the latter’s signature role. Travis Henderson is an itinerant desert wanderer carrying the emotional scars of a relationship gone sour. A penetrating examination of American iconography and the nuclear family in Reaganite America, Stanton radiates regret and vulnerability. He even lends his dulcet tones to Ry Cooder’s iconic soundtrack. There are also excellent performances by Kinski, Stockwell, Clément and young Hunter Carson, whose father, L.M. Kit Carson, co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Shepard. Also available on BFI Player