NEW YORK — Director and writer Paul Schrader was arrested today after mugging several people in an attempt to live out the ending of Robert Bresson’s 1959 film “Pickpocket” in his actual life.
“I’ve put so much of myself in my films. Now it’s time to put my films into me,” Schrader said, waving a gun at police officers in midtown Manhattan. “Bresson’s Pickpocket has had such a profound effect on my life and my work, but who am I kidding myself if I don’t put myself into the shoes of the pickpocket Michel in my actual life? I’ve arranged for my wife Mary to meet me at the prison, so we can silently contemplate our love for each other.”
“Some have criticized me for making the same type of movie over and over like a man obsessed,” Schrader explained. “I say it’s the opposite problem — I haven’t gone far enough. Travis Bickle is me, John LeTour is me, William Tell is me; and yet how can I truly say that, if I haven’t paid the ultimate price for my crimes? To be a writer — to curse the world with your thoughts — is to be irredeemable. Marty forgive me. Au revoir.”
One of the men who Schrader mugged was reportedly confused at the incident.
“This 80-year-old guy popped up in front of me with a makeshift gun and explained that he was mugging me. He didn’t even want my money, he just said he wanted to mug me. I didn’t know what he meant,” said New Yorker Noel Petersen. “Then I realized that I recognized him. I saw him do a Q&A back when ‘First Reformed’ came out and loved it. So I told him that, and he just put down the gun and said, ‘will God forgive me?’ and I was like ‘Yes! You haven’t done anything! Why are you so guilty?’ And that’s when the police showed up and arrested him.”
According to those familiar with the situation, the NYPD has allowed Schrader to keep a small desk, lamp, and journal in his cell to allow him to write out his darkening thoughts each night. From there, a prison guard has agreed to take the journal and upload the diary entry to Schrader’s personal Facebook account.
