The Connection 1961

A title card announces that the film is a found footage project assembled by J. J. Burden working for the acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jim Dunn, who has disappeared.

Leach, [Warren Finnerty], a heroin addict, introduces the audience to his apartment, where other addicts, a mix of current and former jazz musicians, are waiting for Cowboy, their drug connection, to appear. As the men grow increasingly nervous, waiting for their fix, some of them begin to address the camera directly. Although the director Jim Dunn asks the camera operator to turn off the camera, the operator continues to film him coaching the junkies to

act natural

and revealing where the microphones and lights are hidden in the apartment. Furthermore, Jim reveals that he is the one who has given the addicts the money for their heroin in exchange for being able to film them.

Jim, who is nervous around the junkies, confesses a private hope that he will be able to film the connection behind the connection. The junkies shoot down this idea and suggest it would be more interesting to watch Jim take heroin. The camera operator suggests that Jim start with marijuana, which Leach finds amusing and does not even have.

Cowboy arrives, bringing with him an older woman called Sister Salvation who has no idea what they are up to. The men shoot up one by one in the bathroom.

Under pressure from the other men, who claim Jim is exploiting them, Jim agrees to try heroin. He almost immediately becomes ill from the effects, which are much stronger on him than on the others. Despite this, Jim continues to film the others, encouraging them to act more cinematic and telling Cowboy he once thought of making him the “hero” of his film.

Despite the fact that Cowboy injected Leach with heroin, Leach claims to not be high. Annoyed, Cowboy gives Leach the heroin and allows him to shoot up himself, which he does in full view of the camera.

However, this final shot proves too much for Leach and Leach overdoses, but Cowboy manages to revive him, and Leach continues to have a bad trip.

The men who are left wait for their next connection to show up. Meanwhile, Jim turns to J. J. Burden and tells him that the film belongs to him and goes to join the other addicts in waiting.