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Deep Dive: Double Take (2009)

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Double Take
Double Take is a 2009 essay film directed by Johan Grimonprez, featuring a fictionalized version of Alfred Hitchcock. Set during the Cold War, it combines documentary and fictional elements to examine the rise of television and the commodification of fear. The narrative is inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' short story 25th August, 1983, and follows a fictional encounter between Hitchcock and an older version of himself while on the set of his 1962 film The Birds. The film portrays a tense conversation between the two Hitchcocks, characterized by paranoia and distrust. The younger Hitchcock fears his older alter ego, leading to a reflection on mortality and the impact of television on society. Interspersed with Folgers coffee advertisements, the film critiques the cultural climate of the Cold War while exploring themes of identity and self-perception.

Why Watch

  • •See Alfred Hitchcock meet his older self.
  • •Find out how Cold War fears shaped television.
  • •Watch a unique blend of documentary and fiction.

Did You Know

•Double Take premiered at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival.
•The film is a co-production between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
•Ron Burrage, who plays Hitchcock's double, shares a birthday with Alfred Hitchcock: August 13.
•The film received the Black Pearl Award for Best Documentary Director at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival.

Perfect For

Alfred Hitchcock fansCold War history enthusiastsExperimental film lovers