The Panic in Needle Park was Al Pacino's first starring role in the movies. It's a story of Heroin addict Bobby (Pacino) and his clean-cut girlfriend Helen (Kitty Winn) as they frequent the area in New York known as Needle Park. Directed by Jerry Schatzberg and written by husband/wife duo John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion. Released in North America in 1971. The film and it's director were nominated for the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival. Actor Kitty Winn won Best Actress at the same festival. Film Critic and Author John Bleasdale joins the podcast to discuss the film. John talks about why he doesn't see it as a depressing film, how well-rounded an actor Pacino is already and what he thinks happens to Bobby & Hellen. All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, edited and presented by Mark Searby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.