TCM Fest 2025: Everything We Saw at This Year's Fest
The Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, better known as TCM Fest, celebrated its 16th year in style last weekend with an incredible lineup and slew of featured guests from the silver screen. Running for five days in the heart of Hollywood, TCM Fest brings classic movie lovers together to watch films of all genres. From discovery gems to celebratory anniversaries, the camaraderie experienced at TCM Fest is unlike any other. Below are some of our highlights from the festival.
Ryan
Suspicion (1941)
The festival opened with a film I had never seen before: Suspicion (1941), Alfred Hitchcock’s fourth feature. True to its title, the film delivered suspense in the director’s signature style—a pulpy, romantic mystery starring Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant. The story follows a shy young heiress who marries a charming gentleman, only to soon suspect he may be plotting to kill her. Introduced by TCM’s Jena Malone, the black-and-white print looked stunning on the big screen. Fontaine won the Oscar for Best Actress this year, too. While Hitchcock had previously collaborated with Fontaine on Rebecca, Suspicion marked his first of several collaborations with Grant, launching a partnership that would span four films together.
Hud (1963)
The second film I caught at the festival was Hud, starring Paul Newman. I was familiar with Newman from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Great Escape, but here he plays against type as a rebellious, hard-drinking, womanizing ranch hand. Newman’s portrayal of Hud carries a sharp “anti-establishment” edge, making the character feel distinctly ahead of his time. This screening was especially exciting as it featured the World Premiere of a newly restored print, showcasing the film’s Oscar-winning black-and-white cinematography, along with Oscar-winning performances by Melvyn Douglas and Patricia Neal. Introduced by Keith Carradine, this “revisionist Western” turned out to be a real discovery for me.
The Lady Eve (1941)
One of my favorite discoveries and first-time watches at the festival was The Lady Eve, a hilarious screwball comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, directed by Preston Sturges. Stanwyck plays a con artist who sets out to swindle a wealthy heir, only to unexpectedly fall in love with her mark. What stuck with me most, besides the rapid-fire dialogue and the incredible on-screen chemistry, is Henry Fonda’s brilliant physical comedy. His endless pratfalls, delivered with perfect deadpan timing, are pure slapstick gold. The Lady Eve is exactly the kind of hidden gem you hope to stumble upon at a TCM festival.
Morgan
Jaws (1975)
TCM Festival presented a 50th Anniversary screening of Jaws on Saturday to a sold-out theater. The event started with a Ben Mankiewicz-moderated Q&A with Lorraine Gray, who played Ellen Brody. After a humorous conversation, the lights dimmed, and we were transported to the beachside town of Amity Island, where John Williams’ iconic score suspensefully sets the stage for a killer shark wreaking havoc on an entire town. Personally, as a certified scuba diver and animal empath, I have my own opinions on the ethics of Jaws and how the story does a huge disservice to sharks. However, there is no denying the cultural impact of Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, which became the top-grossing film of 1975. This fact is even more impressive considering he was only 26 years old when he directed it.
Based on Peter Benchley’s book of a great white shark stalking the waters and residents during the 4th of July weekend, Jaws stars Roy Scheider as the town’s new police chief, Richard Dreyfuss as an ichthyologist, and Robert Shaw as a shark-hunter.
Brigadoon (1954)
This Gene Kelly musical may not be the most memorable in the auteur's otherwise impressive repertoire, but watching this Vincente Minnelli picture on the big screen is transfixing nonetheless. The film was initially dismissed by critics when it was released in 1954 because the obvious use of sets was more comical than convincing. Sure, the production may not transport audiences to the magical Scottish Highland village of Brigadoon, but it's this lack of quality that is now seen as charming.
Brigadoon tells the story of two Americans, played by Gene Kelly and Van Johnson, who come across a magical village while on an international hunting trip. It's a miracle they find the village at all, as Brigadoon only appears once every hundred years. Yes, it's a bizarre concept that doesn't fully make sense. Nevertheless, Kelly falls in love with Brigadoon's beautiful Cyd Charisse. He must decide if he will give up his life to be with his true love, which includes living by Brigadoon's unconventional rules. While there are still fundamental elements of the film that feel flawed, including the basic plot, Gene Kelly's choreography is undeniably magnetic, as are the stunning costumes and Joseph Ruttenberg’s creative use of Ansco Color and Cinemascope.
Blade Runner (1982, the 2007 Final Cut)
When Ridley Scott's Blade Runner premiered in 1982, the idea of a robot uprising was considered sci-fi. Watching the film now, with rapidly evolving AI and the like, Blade Runner feels much more like a horror film set in our current reality than it does imaginative fiction. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Harrison Ford plays the protagonist "Blade Runner" Rick Deckard. Deckard is a proven LAPD affiliate tasked with "retiring" four rogue replicants (bioengineered humanoids) who have infiltrated society. Rutger Hauer makes an unforgettable turn as replicant leader Roy Batty, as does Daryl Hannah as replicant Pris. Sean Young, who was in attendance, plays opposite Ford as Rachael, a replicant who believes she is human.
The two-time Oscar-nominated film blends neo-noir and cyberpunk genres to create a retro-futuristic Los Angeles that feels as palpable and energetic today as it did forty-three years ago.
What We’re Seeing at Sundance 2021
Our fifth Sundance Film Festival is going to look a lot different this year.
I won't be taking my snow coats and boots out of storage. After-screening drinks will be consumed in my kitchen, not at Rock & Reillys. Instead of queuing up for premieres at the Eccles Theater, I'll be hundreds of miles away, on my couch in Echo Park. But optics aren't everything; despite the festival moving into the virtual sphere, we're just as excited to cover Sundance 2021.
This year, the festival released some pretty uplifting statistics about their slate. Female directors account for exactly 50% of the premiering films, while 51% of filmmakers are people of color. 15% of directors identify as LGBTQ+ and 4% identify as non-binary. Below is a list of films that we’ve secured tickets to, and are looking forward to seeing at the Sundance Film Festival.
We're All Going to the World's Fair directed by Jane Schoenbrun
Why we're excited: This image already gives us the chills, the Creepypasta chills. Jane Schoenbrun's dark feature debut promises to dive into deep emotional terrain, exploring themes of identity and isolation while skillfully creating online wormholes.
Judas and the Black Messiah directed by Shaka King
Why we're excited: This late addition was the best surprise; upon hearing Shaka King's film was set to premiere at the festival, we immediately dropped everything we were doing to snag a ticket. Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield star in this political biopic about the inner workings of the Black Panther Party and the FBI informant sent out to infiltrate their organization.
One For The Road directed by Baz Poonpiriya
Why we're excited: When we saw Wong Kar Wai credited as the film's producer, we immediately knew we had to make One For The Road a priority screening. This coming of age film is being described as an emotional watch about the bittersweet time between the flower of youth and the hard-earned realization that all things end.
How It Ends directed by Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones
Why we're excited: This Los Angeles-set, pre-apocalyptic comedy sounds like a fun time, especially considering the incredible ensemble cast: Zoe Lister-Jones, Cailee Spaeny, Helen Hunt, Olivia Wilde, Fred Armisen, Lamorne Morris, and Nick Kroll.
Land directed by Robin Wright
Why we're excited: We're looking forward to seeing Robin Wright in the director's chair. Wright's directorial debut promises to be a quiet, yet masterful journey about a woman who searches for meaning in the American wilderness (and gives us major Nomadland vibes).
On The Count of Three directed by Jerrod Carmichael
Why we're excited: "Christopher Abbott" and "Sundance" are synonymous to us at this point, we will watch anything and everything he's in. Described as an unusual existential bromance, director Jerrod Carmichael also stars in this dark comedy, making it one of our most anticipated films of the festival.
Wild Indian directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
Why we're excited: Recently named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2021, Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.'s reflective drama about a modern Native American man is also one of four indigenous-made films premiering at the festival.
The Sparks Brothers directed by Edgar Wright
Why we're excited: Those who know director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) know that he is a major music buff, so it's no surprise that he turned to Ron and Russell Mael aka Sparks as the subjects for his debut documentary. He claims, "Sparks is your favorite band’s favorite band, and soon to be yours too."
Ma Belle, My Beauty directed by Marion Hill
Why we're excited: A queer drama set in the beautiful countryside of France that has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Portrait of a Lady on Fire? Yes, please! Marion Hill's directorial debut seems like it will forge its own identity though, as this drama promises to be a moody dive into polyamory.
Marvelous and the Black Hole directed by Kate Tsang
Why we're excited: The unlikely friendship between a grieving thirteen-year-old and a whimsical magician is the basis of Kate Tsang's coming of age film, starring Rhea Perlman as the unlikely mentor. It's just the kind of light-hearted, well-intentioned film we love to seek out.
Mayday directed by Karen Cinorre
Why we're excited: Grace Van Patten and Mia Goth star in this feminist fever dream about a crew of ruthless female soldiers caught in an endless war. Written and directed by Karen Cinorre and co-starring Juliette Lewis and Soko, this is definitely another one of our most anticipated films of the festival.
Homeroom directed by Peter Nicks
Why we're excited: This documentary follows the lives of Oakland high school seniors navigating college admissions, graduation, and planning their futures amidst the pandemic. The film also completes a trilogy of documentaries exploring health care, criminal justice, and education in Oakland, California from director Peter Nicks.
Cryptozoo directed by Dash Shaw
Why we're excited: We need at least one surreal magical title on our schedule, and Cryptozoo is it. Described as a fantastical feature animation for adults that takes audiences on a sublime journey toward multispecies justice, it reminds us of Netflix's The Midnight Gospel in all of the best ways.
Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir directed by James Redford
Why we're excited: We couldn't miss late-director James Redford’s final film. Son of Sundance Institute's founder Robert Redford, this documentary about one of the most important writers in contemporary fiction, Amy Tan, is sure to be an inspiring watch.
John and the Hole directed by Pascual Sisto
Why we're excited: He may look sweet but in this psychological thriller, Charlie Shotwell plays an angsty teen who traps his family in a hole in order to have the freedom to do whatever he wants. Pascual Sisto's feature promises to be an enigmatic and unsettling meditation on coming of age.
A Glitch in the Matrix directed by Rodney Ascher
Why we're excited: Do you ever wonder if the world we live in might not be entirely real? So does director Rodney Ascher (Room 237), who returns to Sundance with this fascinating and visually stimulating documentary examining simulation theory. Cue the existential crisis.
Jockey directed by Clint Bentley
Why we're excited: We're most looking forward to the layered performances from the leading cast in Clint Bentley's drama. Starring Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker, and Moises Arias, Jockey seems like it will be a pensive, rich film about a sport we don't see on the big screen too often.
Let's Remember This Insane Year By Giving Out Arbitrary Awards
As we near the end of 2020 (whew!), it's tradition to reflect on the year's best with a Top 10 post. Even with a slimmed-down slate, it's challenging to dilute such robust works into a numbered list. From off-kilter psychological head trips to prioritizing the soothing sounds of ASMR triggers, there were many incredible films that we felt offered unique perspectives to this year's cinematic landscape, and we want to highlight some of those under the radar films with their own special awards.
The Most "ASMR-Worthy"
These are the films that tapped into the soothing sounds of audible nirvana.
The Most "Umm... WTF?" of the Year
These are the films that created psychological brain mazes and left us wondering what we just saw.
The Best Needle Drop Moments
These are the films that had us singing under our breath or (discreetly) Shazam-ing.
The Ones That Made Us Weep
We were sad a lot this year. We were also beautifully uplifted (to tears) with these films, whose revelations of the human condition had us drying our eyes.
The Ones That Made Us Question, "Is This Real Life?"
The "Michael Stuhlbarg" Award for Best Monologue
No explanation necessary if you've seen Call Me By Your Name.
Michael Stuhlbarg- Shirley
We’ve Got Your Exclusive Trailer Premiere: 'Getting To Know You'
Getting To Know You is best described as a delightful love story for grownups. Written and directed by Joan Carr-Wiggin, this sophisticated comedy-drama has it all: romance, heartbreak, second thoughts, laughs, and festive flower leis.
Luke Manning (Rupert Penry-Jones) came to his high school reunion with a mission, to reignite the flame with his first love, the beautiful, impetuous Kayla (Rachel Blanchard). But Kayla is married with two children, and Luke isn’t a homewrecker. He shares his disappointment with Abby Sorensen (Natasha Little), a married woman staying at the same hotel, in town for her estranged brother’s funeral. So when Kayla shows up at the hotel drunk and demanding sex it seems reasonable for Abby to pretend to be Luke’s wife to defuse the situation. What could go wrong? It’s not like two strangers spending a weekend in a small town could possibly fall in love…
Gravitas Ventures will release Getting to Know You on VOD and digital platforms on Tuesday, November 24.
AFI Fest: Sofia Coppola, 'Apples' and 'My Psychedelic Love Story'
We're ending our last installment of AFI FEST 2020 coverage (previous posts can be found here and here) on a high note. We had a front-row seat to the Elvis Mitchell moderated Q&A with director Sofia Coppola, who chatted about her creative process in her new film, On The Rocks. Apples, from first-time director Christos Nikou was my most anticipated film of the fest, and it didn't disappoint one bit! And finally, we ended with Errol Morris's highly anticipated documentary, My Psychedelic Love Story, which tells the story of the "High Priest of LSD," Timothy Leary.
A Tribute to Sofia Coppola
"Hers is a voice distinctly her own," says AFI's Bob Gazzale as he introduces director Sofia Coppola before the 30-minute conversation and retrospective of her work in one of AFI FEST's tribute series. A quick montage shows various clips from one of contemporary cinema's most recognizable directors; The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, and more flash across the screen in Coppola's aesthetically pleasing color palate.
Film critic and moderator Elvis Mitchell talks to Coppola about her process, including choosing the songs that have since become iconic film moments (Sleigh Bells' "Crown on the Ground" in The Bling Ring, The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Just Like Honey" in Lost in Translation). Most of the conversation hovered around her newly released Apple TV+ father-daughter dramedy, On The Rocks. This lighthearted and introspective conversation was one of many highlights from the festival and can be watched in its entirety here.
Under the Influence of the High Priest of LSD: Thoughts on My Psychedelic Love Story.
The closing night film of AFI FEST fittingly went to Errol Morris's documentary My Psychedelic Love Story, an oral history of sorts about Harvard psychologist and LSD's most notorious proponent, Timothy Leary. If you were a progressive hippie in the 60s, you idolized this man. If you were Richard Nixon, you'd do whatever it takes to restrain him and his drug-encouraging tendencies. Leary, often referred to as the "High Priest of LSD," inspired millions of young people to take the drug and was seen as the counterculture's hero. However, Leary was captured by the FBI in the early 70s on a drug conviction and, in a strange turn of events, agreed to be a government informant to shorten his prison sentence.
Leary's former partner in crime, Joanna Harcourt-Smith, is the film's sole narrator, giving us a colorful depiction of her time living, loving, and tripping with Timothy Leary. She talks directly to Morris throughout the film, answering his pointed questions about the enigma that was Mr. Leary. Harcourt-Smith is an interesting person on her own; a Parisian socialite, she was a promiscuous psychedelic activist who can carry a story, however, at times it's hard to keep the narrative straight. Perhaps those more familiar with Leary's story will have an easier time remembering all the names, places, and events, as I, admittedly, started to zone out a bit. Disclaimer: I was watching this completely sober, probably against Leary's wishes.
Following his previous successes Gates of Heaven and The Thin Blue Line, Errol Morris has another substantial cultural relic on his hands with My Psychedelic Love Story.
'My Psychedelic Love Story' is being distributed by Showtime Documentary Films and will be available to stream on Showtime later this year.
My Most Anticipated Film of AFI Was This Greek Weird Wave Dark Comedy, And It Didn't Disappoint: Thoughts on Apples
One of my favorite film genres is Greek Weird Wave, so of course, I had to add Apples to my must-see list. Christos Nikou's directorial debut is an enjoyably familiar yet excitingly unique story that slots perfectly into this niche canon, making it one of my favorites from this year's festival. It's darkly humorous; a dry and poignant study at how memories shape identity and what happens when we lose it all.
Our protagonist is Aris (Aris Servetalisamnesic), a middle-aged man who has been hit with amnesia. Amnesic spells have been spreading all across Greece, much like a pandemic, with those infected being sent to a hospital/rehab hybrid in order to either get claimed by family members or start over and rebuild a new identity. When days pass and no one comes to claim Aris, he enters the facility's "Learning How to Live" program. This program, led by two scientists–one of whom bears a striking resemblance to Colin Farrell in The Killing of a Sacred Deer– puts Aris through various memory tests and challenges, like riding a bike and going to the movies, which he is instructed to photograph as proof of completion. Aris is determined to live a normal life again and undergoes the tasks with relative ease. He meets a woman (Sofia Georgovasili) in the same identification program as himself during one of his outings and there seems to be a spark, simultaneously Aris's memory becomes slightly less hazy. But is this the result of his new relationship, or his heavy diet of apples?
Following in the footsteps of Greek auteurs like Yorgos Lanthimos and Athena Rahail Tsagkari, Christos Nikou's sense of direction further propels the genre of "Weird Wave" forward. If you're a fan of obscure comedy, 4:3 aspect ratios, and unconventional narratives that are far from mundane, then Apples is for you.
'Apples' is currently awaiting U.S. distribution.
We've Got Your Exclusive Trailer Premiere: 'King of Knives'
King of Knives, directed by Jon Delgado and written by Lindsay Joy with story by Gene Pope, is a film festival darling, having earned critical acclaim from audiences winning the “Best Narrative Feature Film” award at the Williamsburg International Film & Music Competition, the “Best Feature & Lead Actress” at the Milan World Cinema Festival, and seven Platinum awards including “Winner Narrative Feature” at the International Independent Film Awards.
Per Gravitas Ventures: The film tells the story of Frank (Gene Pope) and Kathy (Mel Harris) who are baby boomer parents and Sadie (Emily Bennett) & Kaitlin (Roxi Pope), their millennial daughters. Frank is screaming towards a mid-life crisis. Kathy pretends she’s happy and doesn’t drink that much wine. Sadie is the good child; convinced her first and only boyfriend is the one to marry. Kaitlin is the rebel, the entertainer; the truth-teller who will not filter how she’s feeling. Over three days, with much drama and humor, this crap-happy family careens and skids straight towards a fateful anniversary. On the way, they realize they are more alike than they know.
Gravitas Ventures will release 'King of Knives' on VOD and Digital platforms on Tuesday, December 1.
AFI Fest: 'Jumbo,' 'Notturno,' 'On the Record' and More
A continuation from our previous AFI FEST coverage, the characters in these films all have one thing in common: a desire to live their truth. Whether it's in intimate relationships, as seen in I Carry You With Me and Jumbo, or finally shedding the guilt and shame of one's past in On The Record, this collection dives deep into emotional territory and will leave audiences both inspired and self-questioning their own desires.
The Real Cost Of Chasing Your Dreams, Is It Worth It?: Thoughts on I Carry You With Me
In what is being called the next Moonlight, director Heidi Ewing's artfully crafted foreign-language drama, I Carry You With Me (Te Llevo Conmigo), is truly a sight to behold. The film, winner of the Audience Award: NEXT at the Sundance Film Festival, is a mix of non-fiction and documentary, blending fictional characters with their real-life counterparts. The older couple–whom the story is based on–is featured towards the end of the film as they play out the current-day scenes. The film as a whole unfolds in a lyrical, non-linear fashion but never lacks in its beauty or grace.
Set in Puebla, Mexico, Iván (Armando Espitia) has always been different. He dreams of being a chef in a town where job opportunities are scarce, and his limited income makes it difficult to provide for his young son. Financial struggles aside, it's the secret that he is gay which prevents him from achieving happiness. Despite finding a supportive partner in Gerardo (Christian Vazquez), Iván decides that it's only when he crosses into the United States when he'll be happy. Years later, having worked his way up from dishwasher to line cook, to the chef, and finally, to the owner of a small restaurant, Iván realizes that "success" isn't making him happy. The grass isn't greener. In fact, he misses Mexico and debates giving it all up to see his now-grown son one more time. It's a choice not to be made lightly; since Iván crossed the border illegally and is still an undocumented immigrant, leaving NYC once could mean leaving NYC forever.
I Carry You With Me is an artful love story that spans decades and distance. It gives us a glimpse into the desperation and commitment some are willing to go through to live out their dreams. It got me thinking, would I leave everything I knew for the possibility of happiness? Heidi Ewing isn't just delivering a cinematic experience with I Carry You With Me, she's also offering us a chance for reflection on what's really important in our own lives. What's worth the sacrifice? What would I do for love?
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, "I Carry You With Me" is waiting for a release.
What Do We Do When What We Love is Against the Status Quo?: Thoughts on Jumbo
When we feel a desire for someone–or something–are we brave enough to express that love, uninhibited of others' thoughts?
And what if that something isn't human at all? But rather, an inanimate object–or in the case of Jumbo–a towering amusement park ride?
Jumbo, a French film about a shy theme park worker, Jeanne (Noémie Merlant), who falls in love with a new "attraction," explores what love means, and how we act when we feel it. What's fascinating about this idea is that Jumbo is in fact–apparently–based on a true story. And while it may sound like a silly premise for a film, Jumbo (the pet-name that Jeanne gives to The Move It theme park ride) is actually–somewhat surprisingly–heartfelt, sincere, and emotionally felt.
Zoé Wittock directs the film with such compassion (and sensuality) that you really could substitute "Jumbo" with anything at all and the film would still hold strong as an involving, stimulating movie about forbidden love. But the fact that Jumbo is specifically about this sort of tilt-a-whirl attraction is what gives the film its visual identity, which Wittock uses to highlight its oscillating movement, and kaleidoscopic light design, which Jeanne is succumbed by.
Jumbo really only works because of the lead performance from Noémie Merlant (who audiences will recognize from Portrait of a Lady on Fire). Merlant gives an incredibly vulnerable, yet sincere and committed performance as Jeanne, who we as the audience may or may not recognize is suffering from mental health issues of her own (I felt a similarity to Alison Brie's character in Netflix's Horse Girl).
And also of note is the committed performance of Emmanuelle Bercot as Jeanne's mother, who also pushes herself to understand her daughter's odd expression of love.
While Jumbo is certainly strange in its conceit, it does also show bravery in what committed, true love looks like.
Distributed by Dark Star Pictures, "Jumbo" is waiting for a release.
#MeToo Didn't Include The Stories of Black Women, Until Now: Thoughts on On The Record
When #MeToo first went mainstream in 2018, courageous women began shedding their anonymity and calling out their abusers publicly. There was a horrifying, but not surprising, number of women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by men in the workplace. #MeToo was empowering women to speak up and it was a revolutionary moment, but as director Kirby Dick and his longtime collaborator Amy Ziering expose in On The Record, black women were still being unheard. They felt excluded from this movement and it was painful to feel as if their experience didn't matter.
Former Def Jam and A&R executive Drew Dixon is one of the women who stayed silent. On The Record follows Dixon as she grapples with the life-changing decision on whether to allow The New York Times to publish her story about the abuse she faced from her high-profile, powerful male bosses, former Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons and head of Epic Records, L.A. Reid. After much internal back and forth, Dixon agrees to speak up. Now is the time for BIPOC to be heard and more importantly, believed.
Don't be fooled, this isn't a victim's story. This is a warrior's story. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are gentle, yet unrelenting as they showcase how sexual harassment has been baked into the entertainment culture as they talk to multiple women who have experienced similar sexual assaults by Russell Simmons. A powerhouse of a film, On The Record forces us to look inward and really think about who we listen to? Up until now, it hasn't been the marginalized voices.
Distributed by HBO Max, "On The Record" is now streaming on HBO Max.
We Shouldn't Look Away: Thoughts on Notturno
Academy Award-nominated director Gianfranco Rosi (Fire at Sea) delivers another richly cinematic documentary with Notturno, and this time we're transported to the heart of the Middle East where communities are still reeling from past and future wartime chaos. Rosi and his crew shot Notturno over the last three years along the borders of Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria, and Lebanon, capturing a plethora of emotional moments. The beauty in the mundane, the heartache of reality, and the perseverance in the face of an unknown future are at the heart of this film, which lends itself to be a heavy but highly-rewarding, watch.
The opening shot shows small groups of men running laps around a track at what looks like dawn. The image is jaw-dropping, beautifully yet simply composed. It feels eerily reminiscent of Claire Denis' Beau Travail or Andrey Zvyagintsev's Leviathan where the camera is steady and the subjects that run in and out of frame provide the spontaneous artistic direction. The rest of the film follows suit, where long takes create drawn-out scenes to create a sense of being there too. Perhaps the most devastating scene is when we observe a child therapist asking different children to explain their drawings, which depicts various scenes of what they've survived under ISIS control. Listening to these innocent children describe beheadings, watching people get burned alive, and sharing that they still cry when they think about those moments makes me want to reach through the TV screen and give them all a big, tight hug.
Notturno gives a voice to a human drama and struggle in the Middle East. For as much as we might want to look away and not face the sick reality of violence and hardship, it is our duty as brothers and sisters of the world, and fellow humans, to acknowledge the tragedies and try to alleviate their pain. Watching this film and becoming aware of their daily struggles is a great first step.
Distributed by The Match Factory, "Notturno" is waiting for a release.
Industry
A welcomed addition to the AFI FEST lineup this year is six episodes of the new HBO Max series, “Industry.” Running close to an hour per episode, “Industry” is a British drama set in the high-stakes world of finance. Based on the first episode alone, the series will center around fresh-faced American ex-pat Harper Stern (Myha’la Herrold) as she navigates life in a new country, office politics, and getting ahead, all while concealing a deep secret that could upend everything if it gets revealed.
Per HBO: The show will take aim at issues such as gender, race, and class in the workplace through the eyes of young graduates who are fueled by ambition, romance, and drugs, as they attempt to forge their own identities within the pressure cooker environment of Pierpoint & Co.’s trading floor.
The first episode is directed by Lena Dunham and from what I’ve seen so far, “Industry” will be the next binge-worthy show. Akin to HBO’s other highly successful series “The Newsroom” and “Succession,” “Industry” is another fast-paced and quick-witted show that seems to reinforce that there's no rest for the wicked. And I'm here for it!
"Industry" premieres Monday, November 9th at 7:00 pm on HBO and HBO Max.
AFI Fest: 'Sound of Metal,' '76 Days,' and 'Sisters With Transistors'
Like most things, AFI FEST (presented by Audi) looks a little different this year.
Instead of queuing up to see a film at the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd., or having the chance to see a filmmaker Q&A at the Egyptian Theater, Cinemacy and the rest of Los Angeles audience-goers are attending the festival online. But AFI FEST still promises the same cutting-edge festival experience, with world premieres, to video conference conversations with filmmakers and top talent, we’re enjoying it all from the comfort of our couches. Below are a few early standouts from the festival, which will be available to stream later this year as films find distribution.
Losing Your Hearing and, In Turn, Your Identity As a Musician: Thoughts on Sound of Metal
As a musician, the most important instrument you have is your hearing. Sound of Metal, written and directed by Darius Marder and story by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine), explores the emotional and physical unraveling of what it’s like to lose your identity beyond all control.
Riz Ahmed plays Ruben, a heavy metal drummer who unexpectedly starts to go deaf before playing a show with his bandmate and partner, Lou (Olivia Cooke). Terrified and confused, Ruben learns that with only a 20% hearing capacity, his lifestyle as a touring musician is forced to stop. Ruben is stubborn to accept his new reality but throughout the course of the film, he begins to understand the beauty in the unknown.
The way in which director Darius Marder works with sound–the ringing of tinnitus, the strain of trying to understand the muffled conversations, and the phenomenal performance from lead Riz Ahmed (one that will certainly be discussed come awards season) are the film's biggest strengths. When I was younger I used to play the "would you rather" game with friends: would you rather be without sight or sound? My answer has varied throughout the years, and Sound of Metal really puts you into the mindset of a character who never got to choose. But the takeaway here is that being deaf isn't a weakness or a handicap when viewed with the right perspective. When one sense is obstructed, it allows the others to expand and grow, leading to appreciating moments that, otherwise, may have gone unnoticed.
‘Sound of Metal’ is being distributed by Amazon Studios and will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on December 4, 2020.
If You Were a Soul Waiting To Be Born, How Would You Prepare to Live?: Thoughts on Nine Days
A highly conceptual film that’s both spiritual and sci-fi, Nine Days is ultimately more rewarding for the cerebrally-stirring questions that it asks the audience to think about after it’s done than being an exciting watch in the moment.
The film begins ambiguously, with a mysteriously quiet and bespectacled man, Will (Winston Duke), observing a wall of old televisions–one stacked on top of the other–each playing through life moments from first-person POVs.
We soon learn why he pores over these life moments: (somehow) Will is directly responsible for choosing the souls that will begin a life on Earth, a gatekeeper or god-figure, however you choose to see it. And so, over nine days' time, we see Will interview a collection of characters, asking them all a variety of life-affirming questions with a searing intensity that gives the film its conceptual identity.
Nine Days has a very interesting premise, but the film–directed by Edson Oda–doesn’t give Will anything for us to invest in. Zazie Beetz is underutilized as Emma, a character interviewing for life on Earth, whose countered-openness and positivity challenges the cynically over-stoic Will into rethinking who should be granted life.
While the film is too slow-paced and loose for a great watching experience, Nine Days should be rewarded for being a daring and original film.
‘Nine Days’ is being distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and is scheduled to be released on January 22, 2021.
Without These Female Visionaries, Electronic Music Wouldn't Be What It Is Today: Thoughts on Sisters With Transistors
If I were to ask you to name one woman in the electronic music scene, could you do it? And no, Paris Hilton doesn't count. In the much overdue documentary highlighting the women pioneers of this genre, Sisters With Transistors is a historical and empowering look at the heroines who paved the way. The names Clara Rockmore, Daphne Oram, Bebe Barron, Pauline Oliveros, Delia Derbyshire, Maryanne Amacher, Eliane Radigue, Suzanne Ciani, and Laurie Spiegel may not be household names, but there's no doubt you've heard their contribution to the scene without even knowing it.
Narrated by avant-garde composer Laurie Anderson, Sisters With Transistors proves that this never was just a "man's field." Director Lisa Rovner artfully tells the story of how, dating back to 1928, radical experimentations with machines have redefined the boundaries of music. Enabled by the technology of the times, making music was a sense of freedom for these women. It was therapeutic both physically and emotionally. As with many artistic outputs of the times, men dominated the scene and the female pioneers were dismissed or not acknowledged at all.
It's better late than never to watch this tribute to the female visionaries and tastemakers who changed the electronic music scene.
'Sisters With Transistors' is awaiting distribution.
What I Learned From Watching Wuhan's Response To Fighting COVID By How They Treat Their Elderly: Thoughts on 76 Days
A new documentary, 76 Days, captures the heart-pounding and heartbreaking moments inside the walls of Wuhan's hospitals during their nation’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak (the film's title accounts for the number of days when Wuhan first began lockdown in January to when the country re-opened seventy-six days later).
76 Days is mostly devoid of a formal narrative, instead, it follows the many different moments that happen within the two hospitals during this chaotic time. From seeing the respiratory health scares, the medical team’s exhausted states, and the inevitable deaths that begin to rise, 76 Days captures the full spectrum of how the devastating virus actually cripples a country.
What makes 76 Days so impactful is that there are no politics or punditry injected into the film, instead, only choosing to show incredibly-captured footage of Wuhan's medical teams working at breakneck speeds on the frontlines to treat at-risk patients and contain the virus.
Director Hao Wu, along with Weixi Chen and director left as "Anonymous," captures the relationships and heartfelt moments between the medical team and their patients, showing the best in humanity and what we’re all collectively fighting for.
‘76 Days’ is being distributed by MTV Films and a release date is TBD.
A Preschool Director Reviews 'Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America'
Quick Take: A quality early childhood education is not just learning A-B-C’s
The debate about ways to enhance our system of education often lacks voices to represent our youngest learners. Our concern about increasing test scores for school-age children and similar standards of evaluation fails to shed light on the conversation we really should be having, and that is the attention to the earliest years. Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America director Willa Kammerer effectively highlights this too often neglected topic in a powerful way.
We see this movement begin to take shape at the top levels as Governors from states like Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi and most notably Alabama, collectively recognize that our future depends on our ability to meet the needs of young children by providing consistent high-quality education experiences before they start kindergarten. Most importantly, however, is understanding what that education looks like.
We quickly learn that, of all the states in our nation, Alabama is a shining star, leading the nation as an example of how to prioritize and embrace quality early learning. The collaboration they have established between the public, private, and business sectors to achieve this common goal is beyond impressive. The results of their efforts over the years continue to reflect undisputable positive results, and we should all be taking notes.
As an early childhood educator for over 25 years, I found this documentary to be more than inspiring. It really captures the essence of what a quality early education looks like, which is not just learning A-B-C’s. Starting at Zero reminds us all that, if we want to foster creative, collaborative, socially responsible individuals, we need to find a way to give all children a safe environment with high-quality teachers, so they can play, learn, create, laugh and eventually make a positive impact in the world.
– Sandra Rojas, Director of Sand Tots Parent Participation Nursery School
Distributed by Abramorama, Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America is available to stream on VOD.
OFFICIAL TRAILER | Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America from Starting at Zero on Vimeo.
A Preschool Director Reviews the Early Childhood Education Documentary 'No Small Matter'
Investing in our children to better our future is not a new idea, but unfortunately, it is also not our current reality as is highlighted in the powerful documentary, No Small Matter.
As a preschool director for over 20 years, I found the film’s portrayal of Early Childhood Education today to be a heart wrenching, yet accurate view of the daily challenge that parents face to provide quality care for their children. Today, parents often struggle to pay childcare costs equal to their rents and mortgages, even for sub-standard care. This is in conjunction with the undervalued field of early childhood educators, who are often referred to as glorified babysitters. Despite their financial challenges, many preschool teachers will find second sources of income in order to continue doing what they are passionate about.
At a time when cultural disparity and inequities have become front and center topics, the subject matter in this film, co-directed by Danny Alpert, Greg Jacobs, Jon Siskel, is not only incredibly timely but another reminder that we cannot continue to ignore these issues. Increasing the focus on Early Childhood through parent education opportunities and access to high-quality childcare in our most underserved communities is an investment that will not only better our children’s lives but will positively impact all of our futures. No Small Matter is more than a documentary, it is a movement that demands change and I am hoping that this is the year we begin to see that happening.
– Sandra Rojas, Director of Sand Tots Parent Participation Nursery School
Visit No Small Matter for streaming options and more information.
Black Cinema Matters: An Education on Being Black in America in 10 Films
Do films have the power to change the world?
While we believe so, it's hard to say that definitively when we continue to see injustices against our fellow Americans being committed. Supporting black communities can be done in many ways and since Cinemacy is a film community designed to champion independent filmmaking and voices, we'd like to take this moment to highlight 10 powerful films directed by African American filmmakers.
Watch their films. Learn their stories. Amplify their voices. Change the current narrative so that we can one day say, definitively, that films had the power to change the world.
An Education on Being Black in America in 10 Films:
1) 12 Years a Slave | dir. Steve McQueen | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.
2) Do the Right Thing | dir. Spike Lee | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.
3) Fruitvale Station | dir. Ryan Coogler | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Based on a true story. Though he once spent time in San Quentin, 22-year-old black man Oscar Grant (Michael B Jordan) is now trying hard to live a clean life and support his girlfriend and young daughter. Flashbacks reveal the last day in Oscar's life, in which he accompanied his family and friends to San Francisco to watch fireworks on New Year's Eve, and, on the way back home, became swept up in an altercation with police that ended in tragedy.
4) Get Out | dir. Jordan Peele | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Now that Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with Missy and Dean. At first, Chris reads the family's overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined.
5) Hale County This Morning, This Evening | dir. RaMell Ross | Streaming on Amazon, available to rent on VOD platforms.
Intimate and personal moments from the lives of the black community of Hale County, Alabama, forming an emotive impression of the historic South and consequences of racism while upholding the beauty of life.
6) I Am Not Your Negro | dir. Raoul Peck | Streaming on Amazon, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.
7) If Beale Street Could Talk | dir. Barry Jenkins | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish (KiKi Layne) vividly recalls the passion, respect, and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt (Stephan James), who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
8) Monsters and Men | dir. Reinaldo Marcus Green | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
The aftermath of a police killing of a black man, told through the eyes of the bystander who filmed the act, an African-American police officer and a high-school baseball phenom inspired to take a stand.
9) Selma | dir. Ava DuVernay | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
10) Sorry To Bother You | dir. Boots Riley | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, Calif., telemarketer Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) finds himself in a macabre universe after he discovers a magical key that leads to material glory. As Green's career begins to take off, his friends and co-workers organize a protest against corporate oppression. Cassius soon falls under the spell of Steve Lift (Armie Hammer), a cocaine-snorting CEO who offers him a salary beyond his wildest dreams.
The 6 Best Streaming Services (That Aren't Netflix)
Quarantine and chill.
That's our new reality, for now at least. If you've already torn your way through Netflix's Tiger King, caught up on every episode of reality TV via Hulu, and even knocked a few classic films off the watch list from the Criterion Collection, we've got you covered. Below are six streaming services that are specially curated for independent, documentary, and art house cinephiles. With many platforms offering free trials, now is the perfect time to explore cinema beyond your comfort zone.
Alamo Drafthouse
Last week Alamo Drafthouse announced it would begin offering "Alamo-At-Home," a virtual cinema initiative led by distributors like Kino Lorber, Film Movement, and Magnolia Pictures to allow independent theaters to digitally offer new films. Their signature programming series “Terror Tuesday” and “Weird Wednesday” return for Virtual Cinema experiences.
IFC Films Unlimited
If you're an Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you can enjoy IFC Films Unlimited and 100+ more channels — for a free 30-day trial. Watch the best from IFC, like Boyhood, The Babadook, and In The Loop, from the comfort of your own home. After the free trial ends, IFC Films Unlimited bills $5.99/month, cancel anytime.
Kanopy
If you have a library card, then you have access to Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for public libraries and universities that offers films and documentaries. Kanopy has a catalog of 30,000 documentaries, classic, and indie films (including an A24 film category) that can be streamed on a desktop computer, mobile device, and Roku app. While access is free with a library card, there is a limit of 10 credits (films) per month.
Kino Lorber
Last October, Kino Lorber launched Kino-Now an online movie rental and purchase platform with everything from festival hits to silent classics “Battleship Potemkin” and “Nosferatu” and works by Jean-Luc Godard, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Rick Alverson. Kino Lorber President and CEO Richard Lorber bills Kino-Now as a “kind of arthouse iTunes” where some of the most acclaimed films in history will be available at similar price points to Apple’s service.
MUBI
MUBI, the premiere streaming service for curated independent films, has its slate packed with recent festival hits and rediscovered classics. This month, they will celebrate the creative partnership between two icons of French cinema in the double bill Belmondo & Melville. April's curated line-up also spotlights daring new voices and champions classics from the past. Get 3 months for just $1.
OVID
OVID was launched by a collection of 8 top U.S. Indie film distributors, and consistently adds 20+ titles per month. Since it's launch one year ago, it has grown its collection from approx. 300 titles to almost 800 today. Enjoy a free 14-day trial, then OVID bills $6.99/month.
Indie Filmmakers Reveal Their Favorite Indie Films
More highlights from the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards include the filmmakers of Greener Grass, A Hidden Life, See You Yesterday, and To Dust.
Plus - a special bonus - Honey Boy director Alma Har'el shares her favorite films of 2019, many of which were nominated for various Spirit Awards.
Good times and good vibes all around!
Everything We Saw At Sundance 2020
Another Sundance Film Festival has come and gone, and while the lineup this year didn't necessarily blow either of us away, we managed to seek out some solid films that left an impression.
2020 proved to be the year of the female director festival-wide, in fact, half of the films we saw were directed by women. Stories about celebrities, strippers, and cartoon characters all took center stage this year, with most still waiting for a distributor to secure an upcoming theatrical or streaming release. Here are the films we saw and enjoyed at this year's festival.
Wendy
After Benh Zeitlin first blew audiences away with his debut film Beasts of the Southern Wild back in 2012, people have long awaited the director's follow-up film. Eight years later, audiences were finally treated to that film – Wendy – a re-imagining of the beloved Peter Pan tale. Co-written with his screenwriter sister Eliza, Wendy captures what makes Zeitlin such a visionary and inspiring filmmaker. Telling the story of Peter Pan through the eyes of Wendy (Devin France), Wendy shows how Peter (Yashua Mack) and the lost boys all came to be. Zeitlin's affinity of conjuring Bayou magical realism makes this a perfect source material to adapt and another incredible outing.
Read more: ‘Wendy' Review: A Gorgeous Ode to Never Growing Up
The Nowhere Inn
St. Vincent plays herself, sort of, in The Nowhere Inn, a mockumentary that satirizes celebrity culture and the enigma that is the indie rockstar. Directed by Bill Benz and co-written by Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein, Clark aka St. Vincent goes down the Joaquin Phoenix route in I’m Still Here as she enlists her best friend, Portlandia star and Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, to capture her “relatableness” while on tour. Turns out, Clark is pretty boring when not on stage, and Brownstein encourages her to add a little spice to her life to make the documentary interesting. Clark takes this suggestion too far, and over the course of the film, her erratic and growing diva behavior goes from funny to frightening.
The Nowhere Inn is a bizarre output from all involved but its eccentric nature and stark commentary on authenticity and reality make for a fascinating watch. Annie Clark is in on the joke as she pokes fun at herself, her career, and her relationships (including a special appearance by Dakota Johnson who acts as a hybrid of Clark’s infamous previous partners Kristen Stewart and Cara Delevingne). There’s no denying this film is weird. That’s the point. However, because of this, it may have difficulty finding distribution due to the very small target audience. Despite its obvious consumer-friendly challenges and big-screen future, fans of off the wall content (that doesn’t necessarily make sense) will have an interesting time trying to digest The Nowhere Inn. It definitely helps if you’re a fan of St. Vincent, otherwise, this may not be the best film for you.
Watch: St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein Cryptically Talk About ‘The Nowhere Inn’
Kajillionaire
Miranda July's Kajillionaire follows a family of three whose lives revolve around turning one hustle into the next. Oddball outsiders whose very existence require them to stand apart from society in order to break it down and gamify it, director Miranda July similarly stands outside the norm to put life's more strangely beautiful moments onscreen; such as the beauty of soap suds that overflow through a factory ceiling, to pondering some of life's biggest questions like what to do when the big earthquake hits. Led by performances from Evan Rachel Wood and Richard Jenkins, Kajillionaire is a fusion of magic and ordinary life that entertains questions of larger universal life, making this one to watch should it find distribution post-Sundance.
Read more: ‘Kajillionaire’ Review: A Family of Scammers Long For Connection
Shirley
Josephine Decker returns to Sundance after her award-winning film Madeline’s Madeline with another captivating dramatic entry, Shirley. Starring an eccentric Elisabeth Moss as famed author Shirley Jackson and the ever-wonderful Michael Stuhlbarg as her husband Stanley Hyman, Shirley tells the story of a young couple (Odessa Young, Logan Lerman) whose life becomes forever changed by the odd couple. After accepting room and board in exchange for household chores and companionship, Rose (Young) becomes an accidental muse for Shirley, a famed horror writer who spends her days chain-smoking over her typewriter in the musky home office of her large Victorian house.
Decker's signature style of euphoric imagery and layered, complicated female protagonists in control is the film’s strongest calling card. Moss gives a phenomenal performance as a kooky yet brilliant artist whose inner turmoil is a constant battle. Not to be overlooked is Michael Stuhlbarg, who delivers yet another scene-stealing monologue that is almost as memorable as his Call Me By Your Name performance. Beautifully captured by Sturla Brandth Grøvlen (Victoria, Wendy), who juxtaposes light and dark to create unforgettable moments and a moody score by Tamar-kali, Shirley is a hauntingly powerful film about a strong woman, made by a strong woman.
Read more: If No Other Film Comes Out This Year, ‘Shirley’ Might Just Be The Year’s Best
Zola
Based on a real-life tweet-storm of a stripper's whirlwind adventure to the Deep South, Zola generated solid buzz before even arriving at Sundance having been the product of a bidding war that ultimately went to A24. It's fitting that Zola found its home at the same arthouse shop that made the bad-girls in bikinis romp Spring Breakers, a spiritually similar movie. But Zola taps into the language of the internet using a ton of different styles and a wholly unique vision, which can be credited to the film's director, Janicza Bravo, who made Lemon. While it's a beautifully shot movie, Bravo makes Zola more of a deadpan comedy than ROFL-road movie, and it's one of the things that I wish this movie delivered more on.
Read more:
Wake Up
Booksmart director Olivia Wilde and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Margaret Qualley combine their creative energy as they explore the reality of technology-obsessed culture in the branded short film, Wake Up. Backed by computer goliath HP and produced by The Lab at Anonymous Content, Wake Up is a beautifully shot cautionary tale about the increase in isolation and its unintended consequences of emotional detachment caused by an addiction to technology.
When a young woman (Qualley) wakes up, alone, in a hospital with no relocation of how she got there, she sets out to find answers. However, everyone she attempts to connect with is transfixed by their smartphone, computer, or other electronic devices, ignoring the outreach and bid for belonging from our tech-less protagonist. Using her dance background, Qualley gracefully moves and breezes through New York City’s densely populated area, literally reaching out to strangers for connection, eye contact, and acknowledgment. Shot by legendary cinematographer Matthew Libatique and scored by indie artist Perfume Genius, Wake Up is a dreamy foreshadowing that a world devoid of human connection is not a joyous one. Let technology aid us in making the world a more connected place, not act as barriers to drive us further away from each other.
Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story
One of the most disgusting, vile, and demented shows of all time, Ren & Stimpy also stands as one of the most singularly influential artistic achievements of the 90s. Beloved by the cult following that took to it, a new documentary (funded by Kickstarter) chronicles the creation of Ren & Stimpy and the team behind it, including the brilliant yet tyrannical creator John Kricfalusi. It's a time capsule that shows the brilliant animators who put the cartoon on paper at a time when animation was at a low point. The doc captures interviews from all of the people involved, including John Kricfalusi, who speaks to the infamous end when he was fired from the show's second season. As the doc continues to show with John's substantiation, we learn of a very problematic history with fans and aspiring animators, which makes the whole thing even more disturbing. It's fitting that, like John, it's Ren & Stimpy's avant-garde hideousness that makes the show unforgettable.
Read more: ‘Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story’ is Here–You Eeediot!
Whirlybird
In Matt Yoka's debut feature documentary, Whirlybird, audiences are taken on a visual journey in the City of Angels in the 90s through the lens of journalist Bob Tur and his wife Marika Gerrard, the couple responsible for capturing the iconic ariel video footage of the OJ Simpson pursuit, the Rodney King riots, the Northridge earthquake, and so much more. Infamous for his risky (and often illegal) methods of "getting the shot," Bob was a relentless reporter, in love with the excitement and thrill of the chase. However, the documentary digs deeper, beyond his success as a journalist, and into Bob's volatile, explosive, and obsessive behavior that puts not only his relationships but his physical and mental health at risk.
In the world of journalism, Bob Tur is credited for revolutionizing breaking news by changing the way news was captured: via helicopter. Bob and Marika were never far from a crime scene, murder, fire or flood - hanging out of a helicopter, camera in hand and ready to film. However, Bob's personal life was fraught with torment. Not only was he constantly fighting with his wife, his employees, and the authorities, he was also struggling to accept himself as a trans man, which the documentary only focuses on in the last fifteen or so minutes of the film. The story of Whirlybird is primarily about the revolution of the news industry, not the reinvention of Bob Tur, who now goes by Zoey. Unfortunately, more focus on his personal struggle would have made this film a lot stronger and more memorable.
Bob was the original TMZ. He was a pioneer, and his legacy will never be forgotten. However, through raw and vulnerable interviews, he admits to living a life full of regret. It's as if he questions if this was all even worth it, a difficult sentiment to hear someone say aloud. The relentlessness of capturing the headline news will affect any man over time, much like it did Bob Tur. For Angelinos especially, Whirlybird - with original music by Ty Segall - is a fascinating retrospective of our city from above as we navigate the fine line between serenity and chaos from among the clouds.
Read more: ‘Whirlybird’ Review: Capturing Serenity and Chaos Over the Clouds
What We’re Seeing at Sundance 2020
This year marks the fourth time these Californians are packing up our parkas and heading to the Sundance Film Festival.
Every year brings unique opportunities and different experiences, and we're looking forward to reveling in it all. Last year we introduced Night Cap, a nightly video series where we discuss the films of the day over cocktails (or Emergen-C), and we're excited to bring that back in 2020. Don't miss an episode- click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
From directorial debuts to special screenings and world premieres, over half of which were directed by women (!), here’s a list of films that we’ve secured tickets to, and looking forward to seeing at the Sundance Film Festival.
Be sure to follow Cinemacy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so that you can get the ground report on everything we do.
The Nowhere Inn directed by Bill Benz
Why we’re excited:
In perhaps the most legendary duo of all time (in our opinion), Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) and Carrie Brownstein play themselves as they shed their onstage personas and get real in The Nowhere Inn. Boundary blurring and enticingly self-aware, Bill Benz's directorial debut is one of our most anticipated films to watch.
Wendy directed by Benh Zeitlin
Why we’re excited:
Director Benh Zeitlin (best known for his four-time Academy Award-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild) returns to the festival with Wendy, an imaginative adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Youthfulness and freedom seem to be the cornerstones of Zeitlan's vision, with fantastical elements further aided by composer and longtime collaborator Dan Romer. Wendy has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Promising Young Woman directed by Emerald Fennell
Why we’re excited:
Promising Young Woman, written and directed by Emerald Fennell, made waves when it landed on the 2018 Black List. Starring Carey Mulligan as a woman who singlehandedly takes on toxic masculinity with a vengeance (giving off premature Under The Skin vibes), this femme fatale feature has us excited. Promising Young Woman has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia directed by DANIELS, Hannah Fidell, Alexa Lim Haas, Lucas Leyva, Olivia Lloyd, Phil Lord, Jillian Mayer, The Meza Brothers, Terence Nance, Brett Potter, Dylan Redford, Xander Robin, Julian Yuri Rodriguez, and Celia Rowlson-Hall
Why we’re excited:
That's right, 14 directors are credited in the making of Omniboat, and that alone is an intriguing enough concept. Among the filmmakers are directing duo DANIELS, whose last feature Swiss Army Man was the hit of the 2015 film festival. Omniboat's logline is simple: a symphony inspired by and made in Miami, but if there's anything we've learned about a DANIELS film, it's to expect the unexpected. We'll be going into this film with open minds.
Dick Johnson is Dead directed by Kirsten Johnson
Why we’re excited:
Kirsten Johnson is a tour de force in the documentary sphere; her last film Cameraperson was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2017. In one of her most personal films to date, she's turning the lens on her father in Dick Johnson is Dead, a poignant story about her desperate attempt to keep her aging father alive through filmmaking. We're bringing the Kleenex to this one.
Kajillionaire directed by Miranda July
Why we’re excited:
Miranda July - filmmaker, writer, and artist extraordinaire - is one of our idols; her commitment to authenticity and creativity is inspiring both on-screen and off. Her latest feature Kajillionaire, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, and Debra Winger, is being described as an absurd comedy and, honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less. Another highlight we're anticipating: The Last Black Man in San Francisco's composer Emile Mosseri lends his creativity to fuel Kajillionaire's soundtrack.
Shirley directed by Josephine Decker
Why we’re excited:
Michael Stuhlbarg and Elisabeth Moss play a couple whose relationship is put to the test in Josephine Decker's drama Shirley. Based on the 2014 novel by Susan Merrill and screenplay by Sarah Gubbins, Decker lends her sensitive and observant eye to this period drama, which is sure to be a piercing watch.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always directed by Eliza Hittman
Why we’re excited:
Writer/director Eliza Hittman returns to the festival three years after she won the Directing Award for her film, Beach Rats. Never Rarely Sometimes Always, shot on 16mm film, depicts the hardship a young teenager faces as she does her best to navigate through an unwanted pregnancy. Never Rarely Sometimes Always has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Downhill directed by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Why we’re excited:
Perhaps the film with the biggest commercial star power is the Nat Faxon/Jim Rash drama Downhill. Based on the 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure by Ruben Östlund, Downhill tells the story of how one split-second decision in a moment of panic reveals an unsettling insight into the patriarch of an otherwise happy go lucky family. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, we're looking forward to seeing two great comedic actors out of their comfort zones in dramatic roles. Downhill has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Dinner in America directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier
Why we’re excited:
Two misfits find each other through music and chaos in writer/director Adam Carter Rehmeier's punk rock comedy, Dinner in America. Starring Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs, this road to self-discovery in Midwestern suburbia feels like the perfect festival film: full of quirkiness and originality. We're also looking forward to the handful of original songs that fuels the film's soundtrack.