Open Air | The Graduate
A restored classic, The Graduate follows shy college grad Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), who is seduced by the wife of one of his father’s close friends – only to fall in love with her daughter, complicating an already tangled affair.
After graduation, Benjamin Braddock finds himself lost and uncertain about his future. At a party celebrating his achievement, he is seduced by the enigmatic and significantly older Mrs. Robinson.
What begins as a secret affair quickly unravels when Benjamin falls in love with her daughter Elaine. Thus he becomes entangled in a web of lies and desires, unfolding against the backdrop of the rapidly changing social landscape of 1960s America.
The Graduate is a timeless classic that blends tragedy and comedy to explore themes of insecurity, rebellion and alienation in a new generation. The film marked Dustin Hoffman's breakout role and emerged at a pivotal moment in Hollywood history. Alongside influential films such as Bonnie and Clyde, Easy Rider, and Midnight Cowboy, The Graduate marks the transition to the New Hollywood era – a period defined by greater artistic freedom for filmmakers. The film received seven Oscar nominations and won the Academy Award for Best Director.