In his feature film debut, 12 Angry Men (1957), Sidney Lumet delivers a gripping courtroom drama and a powerful exploration of justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of group decision-making.
Set in a stifling jury room, twelve men are tasked with determining the fate of a teenage boy accused of murdering his father. The case appears straightforward, with nearly all the jurors convinced of the boy’s guilt—except for Juror #8 (Henry Fonda), who insists on a more thorough discussion of the evidence. As tensions rise and prejudices come to the surface, the film meticulously uncovers the biases, assumptions, and personal baggage each juror brings to the table.
Through intense debate and meticulous examination of the evidence, cracks begin to form in what seemed to be an airtight case, forcing the jurors to confront their own beliefs and the fragility of truth in a system reliant on human judgment.
This film keeps you on the edge of your seat – an extraordinary accomplishment considering the entire story unfolds within a single room.
The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
Corruption, racism, moral decline – these were the themes that American director Sidney Lumet explored in his films. Lumet created entertainment in the first place, but never just entertainment. Lumet’s films are thought provoking examinations of modern society. The combination of amusement and social engagement was already evident in Lumet’s feature film debut, 12 Angry Men (1958), an iconic courtroom drama in which a white jury deliberates on the verdict of a Puerto Rican defendant. With classic films like Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and Network (1976), Lumet delivered sharp critiques of the media that have only grown more relevant over time. See these and other films this winter in De Balie!

7 films by Lumet between Dec 27 and January
From 12 Angry Men to Dog Day Afternoon and Network: revisit the greatest films by American master Sidney Lumet in De Balie. Corruption, racism, moral decline – these were the themes that American director Sidney Lumet explored in his films. Lumet created entertainment in the first place, but never just entertainment. Lumet’s films are thought

The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
The Pawnbroker (1964) is a poignant drama about grief, trauma, and survival, centered on Sol Nazerman (Rod Steiger), a emotionally detached Holocaust survivor who runs a pawnshop.

The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
This powerful documentary chronicles the life and impact of Martin Luther King Jr.
