William Klein Films

Legendary photographer William Klein is well known in the U.S. for his groundbreaking style of gritty, expressionistic images of street scenes and fashion culture. But the French revere the American-born Klein -- who's lived in Paris since 1946 -- for his revolutionary avant-garde films, all of which he wrote and directed, and often produced.Imagine whimsical Woody Allen crossed with Spike Lee, and situated in the late 60s. With such classics as Mr. Freedom, Qui Etes-vous Polly Maggoo?, Le Couple Temoin, and Muhammad Ali: The Greatest, Klein's films blazed a broad trail of cultural dislocation, black nationalism, and misplaced trust in authority and the notion of progress.