Dog Day Afternoon (1975) is a gripping crime drama based on a true bank robbery that quickly spiraled into a chaotic standoff. With Al Pacino’s iconic portrayal of one of the first bisexual protagonists in film history, combined with a compelling blend of dark humor and emotional drama, Dog Day Afternoon received six Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
The film follows Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino), a desperate man who, along with his friend Sal (John Cazale), attempts to rob a Brooklyn bank to fund his partner’s gender-affirming surgery. However, the heist goes disastrously wrong, and what was meant to be a quick, low-profile robbery turns into a public spectacle as the police, media, and a growing crowd outside the bank watch the tense situation unfold.
As the hours drag on, Sonny’s motives come to light, and the film shifts from a crime thriller to a poignant exploration of personal identity, societal expectations, and the flaws of the American Dream. Initially seen as a criminal, Sonny gradually becomes a symbol of resistance against the injustices and limitations of the world around him.
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
Sidney Lumet’s brilliant and pitch-black critique of the sensationalist landscape of television journalism.

The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
In his feature film debut Sidney Lumet delivers a gripping courtroom drama and a powerful exploration of justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of group decision-making.
