The Tailor of Panama

Colour, 35mm
Ireland, United Kingdom, 2000, 109 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

A British citizen named Harry Pendel owns a renowned and highly respected tailoring salon in Panama where he outfits the male half of the local elite. He has the spirit of an artist and visionary and can consider himself a successful fellow. Andy Osnard is a spy assigned to watch over the canal in the interest of Great Britain, which transfered the canal to Panama in 1999. The communicative Harry is a great source of information for Osnard, able to be exploited all the more because Osnard soon ferrets out where Harry actually learned the tailoring trade. The tailor hides other secrets from the world, including from his wife, and so Osnard has no problem inducing him to cooperate. Because he has no other option, Harry starts to invent sensational intelligence which shocks not only Osnard but his superiors, too. Who is selling the canal? When and to whom? Harry has the answers, which Osnard smartens up appropiately. But then a curious reporter and the Pentagon become interested in the hushed up scandal.

About the director

John Boorman (b. 1933, Shepperton, England) studied at a Jesuit college and had many jobs before beginning to write criticism and work in television. In 1960-64 he was director of the documentary film department in Bristol. In 1965 he had his debut in feature films with Catch Us If You Can, followed in 1967 by the gangster flick Point Blank. Other films: Leo the Last (1970), Deliverance (1971 – nominated for an Oscar), Zardoz (1973), Excalibur (1981), The Emerald Forest (1985) Hope and Glory (1987) and The General (1998).