A clip from Concessions, a comedy film starring the late Michael Madsen in one of his final performances, is now out on YouTube. The film centres on the final night of a cinema theatre before it shuts down for good. Director Mas Bouzidi describes it as a homage to "the last of his kind" actor in films. A longtime Quentin Tarantino collaborator who is most popular for Reservoir Dogs, Madsen died earlier this month.

The film stars Madsen as Rex Fuel, an erstwhile stuntman who attempts to earn a free ticket through his charm and persuasion skills. He wants to watch his old film and relive his heyday at the Royal Alamo Cinema. Concessions is the first feature film of 23-year-old Bouzidi. He shot and edited it at 22 years of age. Bouzidi drew from his seven years of experience working at theatres in New York. The makers shot Concessions at the Lafayette Theater with 16mm film. They will present it on a 35mm print in Edinburgh. Concessions’ cast includes Steven Ogg, known for The Walking Dead. Josh Hamilton, star of Eighth Grade and Manchester by the Sea, also features in the film. Other cast members are Ivory Aquino, Lana Rockwell, Jonathan Lorenzo Price, and Rob Riordan.

Writer-director Bouzidi praised Madsen. He told Variety, "Working with Michael Madsen was one of the greatest privileges of making Concessions. He was the last of his kind, owning the camera and commanding the audience with nothing but a squint and a sly grin." The filmmaker also recalled, "I still remember the joy I’d get from watching him through the eye-piece."

The film weaves multiple plotlines of tired employees, eccentric customers, and an unhinged boss dealing with their last shift. Bouzidi cites Richard Linklater’s dialogue-driven approach as an influence for the film, besides Jacques Demy’s luminous colours and Robert Altman’s ensemble features.

“Concessions is about the universal experience of going to the movies,” said Bouzidi. He emphasised the people behind the scenes. “It’s about the people working the concession stands, running the projection booth, taking your tickets, cleaning the bathrooms, and changing the marquees.”