Venice, Telluride
Brazilian documentary filmmaker Petra Costa delves into the disturbing connection between Christian missionary work and politics in this eye-opening exposé that chronicles the dire state of democracy. Amid the waves of social and political unrest, she gets up close and personal with some of the most powerful people, shifting between the epic and the intimate, the historical and the real, to shed light on a phenomenon not just in her home country but around the world. — Jordan Mintzer
Venice, Toronto
Dea Kulumbegashvili’s magical story centers on an obstetrician-gynecologist (the wonderful Ia Sukhitashvili) who performs clandestine abortions on desperate women in the most remote villages of Georgia. like christian mongiu’s 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 daysThe play highlights the risks of backstreet termination and the shame and expense of preventing access. The harshness of it all is offset by transcendent beauty. — Leslie Felperin
Venice, Toronto
Halina Reijn’s erotic drama, starring Nicole Kidman (winner of the Venice Best Actress Award), follows a middle-aged businesswoman’s relationship with a young intern (Harris · Dickinson) seeks liberation in the game of temptation. Although the film’s premise hearkens back to ’90s sex-stalking thrillers, Wren subverts expectations with her fearless rejection of judgment and strict moral code. It’s perverse, juicy fun. — David Rooney
Venice, Toronto
Brady Corbet’s nuanced and novelistic third feature, about a Hungarian Jewish architect who escapes to the United States after World War II, is an epic story in every sense of the word. work. The three-and-a-half-hour film, shot in gorgeous 70mm, explores rich themes such as creativity, the immigrant experience, the isolation of privilege and the long past. Lead actor Adrien Brody couldn’t have done a better job. – PhD
Telluride, Toronto
Edward Berger’s drama, adapted from Robert Harris’s book, tells the powerful behind-the-scenes story of Catholic leaders gathering at the Vatican to choose the next pope. Ralph Fiennes brilliantly plays the cardinal overseeing the election who begins to have doubts about his faith due to recent church scandals. Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini are expert supporting actors in this riveting and timely thriller. — Stephen Farber
Telluride, Toronto
This remarkable adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s 2001 memoir marks the directorial debut of actress Albers Davids and depicts the civil war that led to the founding of Zimbabwe from a child’s perspective. Lexi Venter plays the young protagonist Bobo, the daughter of white colonial parents, and delivers a nuanced, naturalistic performance reminiscent of Anna Paquin’s Oscar winning work. piano. — Carlin James
Venice
Sarah Friedland’s debut novel charts old age as a coming of age, following a curious octogenarian (Catherine Chalfant) as she battles dementia and adjusts to her new life. Assisted Living Facility Stories. The writer-director has a keen eye for physical detail, anchoring us in the protagonist’s perspective and finding humor and tenderness in the most vulnerable moments.
— Jiao Ji Cai
Telluride, Toronto
Scott McGee and David Siegel’s unsentimental yet moving drama—set in a richly textured New York City and adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel—is directed by the brilliant Starring Naomi Watts, she plays a writer who is not only mourning her best friend (Bill Murray in flashbacks) but also dealing with the great Dane, who left her. It’s a beautifully light-hearted exploration of life, death, and friendship. —CJ
toronto
A companion piece to his classic work carefree and another yearMike Leigh’s scathing new drama continues his career-long investigation into the concept of happiness—who gets it, who doesn’t, how and why—with a vivid portrait of mental anguish. Marianne Jean-Baptiste is outrageously ferocious and at times very funny as a woman at war with the world, while Michelle Austin brings much-needed warmth and light as her sister. — Jon Frosch
Venice, Toronto
While many films have dealt with life under Brazil’s military dictatorship, rarely do we see one as intimate as Walter Salles’ latest. In this adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir about her mother’s heroism after her father’s disappearance, Fernanda Torres portrays the matriarch with extraordinary grace while herself Her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, played her poignantly in her later years. – PhD
Venice
The second part of the thematic trilogy, as follows gender and the previous dreamNorwegian writer-director Dag Johan Haugrud’s comedy is a delight—honest, thoughtful, and boldly speaking its mind. The film looks at dating conventions in the app age through the soft, symmetrical arcs of two co-workers, raising interesting perspectives on friendship and romance. — low frequency
telluride
Hall County This Morning Tonight Director LaMel Roth’s narrative debut, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s novel, tells the story of two boys (Brandon Wilson, Ethan Herries) incarcerated in a Florida reform school. Cinematographer Jomo Fray delivers concise images, and editor Nicholas Monsour delivers staccato rhythms as he moves between past and present with attention to the details that shape memories. The show’s intimacy and care push the boundaries of how black people can be represented on screen. — LG
Venice
One of director Kevin Macdonald’s finest efforts to date, it traces an eventful year in the life of the former Beatle and artist. Extraordinary archival material is combined with footage from the 1972 benefit concert to create a documentary that is both tender and uplifting. It conjured an immersive energy that gave new tendencies to a generation’s countercultural awakening and reminded us of the hopeful future we once imagined as children. — Shirley Lyndon
Venice, Toronto
again with challenger Screenwriters Justin Kuritzkes and Luca Guadagnino encounter William S. Burroughs’s semi-autobiographical novel about The story of the American diaspora in postwar Mexico City. A psychedelic adventure story about a writer (the intrepid Daniel Craig) who becomes obsessed with a young man (Drew Stuckey), this is a bold and captivating film that… It features dreamy cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom and a melancholic score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. – PhD
Venice, Telluride
Tim Fehlbaum’s gripping newsroom thriller chronicles the ABC Sports crew who broadcast the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Munich Olympics live to the nation. Its resolution of the thorny problems faced by the team, as well as the intense turns of Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, and Leonie Benesh, make it more than just a time capsule. A blend of archival footage and reenactments, the film speaks to our times and the enduring importance of reporting real news. — Jamie
This story first appeared in the September 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
