The French Connection

TheFrenchConnection.jpg

Artist: William Friedkin

Year: 2023

Date of Action: June 3, 2023

Region: Europe


Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion

Medium: Film Video, Television

Confronting Bodies: Criterion Channel

Description of Artwork: In The French Connection, a character named Popeye Doyle uses ethnic/racial slurs in a conversation with another character. Doyle is an anti-hero, and the offending section of the movie contains two instances of racially offensive language.

The Incident: On June 3, 2023, a viewer noticed that the Criterion Channel's version of The French Connection removed the offending language by removing the section of the movie altogether.

Results of Incident: Members of the public have noted how this action appears discordant with Criterion’s stated mission to restore and distribute important classics and thus further the interests of film and media scholars, cinephiles, and libraries.

Source:
https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2023/5/3ixj54t2k12w626zsbhumz4i1u2t6r