The Set-Up
Synopsis
The Set-Up is Kathryn Bigelow's student film at Columbia about the exploration of 'why violence in cinematic form is so seductive'. It featured two men beating each other to a pulp in a dark alley, while two professors analyzed the philosophy of it all on the soundtrack.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
November 21, 1978
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Kathryn Bigelow
- Original Title
- The Set-Up
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 17m
- Production Studios
- Columbia University, Columbia University School of the Arts
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Kathryn Bigelow
Ed Bowes
Department Leadership Roster
Kathryn Bigelow
Director
Ed Bowes
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Set-Up.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Kathryn Bigelow Portfolio - Movies
Curated master portfolio of movies directed by Kathryn Bigelow Portfolio - Movies. Updated frequently. Last updated September 26, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Set-Up
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Set-Up about?
The Set-Up is Kathryn Bigelow's student film at Columbia about the exploration of 'why violence in cinematic form is so seductive'. It featured two men beating each other to a pulp in a dark alley, while two professors analyzed the philosophy of it all on the soundtrack.
Who directed The Set-Up?
The Set-Up was directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
Who stars in The Set-Up?
The principal cast of The Set-Up includes Gary Busey, Sylvère Lotringer, Marshall Blonsky.
When was The Set-Up released and how long is it?
The Set-Up was released in 1978 with a total runtime of 17m.