The American Cinematheque will present a thorough retrospective of the renowned Belgian filmmaker, Chantal Akerman. The film that this bold and visionary artist is best known for is "Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles" from 1975 which found its way to be ranked "the greatest film of all time" in Sight & Sound magazine's 2022 critics poll. This film will be screened to start the festival on November 2nd and will feature several of Akerman's early short films, her first feature film and first documentary on various dates through December.
A pioneer of cinematic modernism, Akerman's filming style focused on capturing ordinary life which tends to move at an unhurried pace. And while she didn't regard herself as a "feminist", Akerman always tried to transcend feminist aesthetics of the cinema in her work.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, Akerman enrolled in INSAS, a Belgian film school, but dropped out during her first semester to make a short film, "Saute ma ville" in 1968. Akerman moved to New York City in 1971, staying for about a year, where she was exposed to the vibrant art scene that was happening during this period. She also met and began her long collaboration with French cinematographer, Babette Mangolte, who was living in the US at the time, making the documentary, "Hotel Monterey" and some short films.
Once back in Belgium, Akerman began working on her first feature film, "Je, Tu, Il, Elle" that focused on a young woman's unconventional sexuality which was a daring statement at the time. She would go on to make twelve feature films and sixteen documentaries and short films.
Sadly, Akerman ended her own life on October 5, 2015 in Paris, at the age of 65. Her last film prior to her passing was "No Home Movie", a documentary that featured a series of conversations she made with her beloved mother shortly before she died.
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After being sidelined for the last couple of years, Outfest, the non-profit organization that celebrates LGBTQ+ storytelling through film, education, and community, is beginning it's return withOutfestNEXTpresented by HBO MAX. This film festival will be held for four days, November 6th through 9th, that will feature independent queer feature films, shorts and engaging conversations. The venues for the screening events will be held at the LGBT Center Renberg Theatre in Hollywood and the Look Dine-In Cinemas in Glendale.
Some highlights include "All That We Love", from director, Yen Tan, a heartfelt and poignant depiction of grief and what it means to start anew. Margaret Cho stars as a woman whose life begins to unravel after the death of her beloved dog. More complications begin with her estranged ex-husband (Kenneth Choi) coming back into her life, their free-spirited daughter (Alice Lee) plans on moving to another country and her best friend (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) who has recently lost his husband. From filmmaker, Lucio Castro is "Drunken Noodles", which tells the story of a young art student who has a series of unexpected intimate encounters. "Dust Bunny", the feature directorial debut from Bryan Fuller, a horror-thriller that involves an eight-year-old girl (Sophie Sloan) who hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the vicious monster under her bed. Sigourney Weaver also stars. And Sydney Sweeney stars in "Christy", a sports drama about the life of former professional boxer Christy Martin from director, David Michôd.
The Legacy Spotlight is Greg Berlanti’s beloved classic "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy" with a 25th anniversary screening. The film tells the story of a close-knit group of gay friends who support each other as they search for love, deal with loss, and discover themselves. Dean Cain, Zach Braff, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Theroux and Billy Porter star.
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After winning the Best Actress Academy Award for her turn as the harried mother in "Mildred Pierce", Joan Crawford's stagnant career was fully revitalized. One of the films she made after her win was "Daisy Kenyon", a melodramatic love triangle, that was daring at the time due to it's more pragmatic handling of these complicated emotional affairs. The infamous director, Otto Preminger was responsible for pushing as far he could go in this torrid story with the Motion Picture Production Code and later would go even further handling banned subjects in his movies.
Set in New York City shortly after the end of WWII, Crawford plays Kenyon, a commercial artist who is having an affair with Dan O'Mara (Dana Andrews), a smooth-talking, married lawyer. Fed up with waiting around for him and the empty promises of divorcing his wife (Ruth Warrick), Daisy informs Dan she has made other plans for dinner. As he's leaving her home, Dan runs into Daisy's new suitor, a war veteran widower named Peter Lapham (Henry Fonda). While Peter still misses his wife and Daisy is not over Dan, these two wind up getting married. After discovering her husband's affair with Daisy, she wants to file for divorce with full custody of their children. Dan asks Peter and Daisy to allow him to reveal the details of his former relationship with Daisy during the divorce trial. This request effects her marriage to Peter and the trial publicly damages her reputation.
Not well received at the time of its initial release, "Daisy Kenyon" has been reevaluated by modern audiences, giving the film a newfound respect. Neither Andrews or Fonda really cared for the script yet fulfilled their contractual obligations, still providing solid performances. But this is actually Crawford's opportunity to deliver a star turn with plenty of her usual hard-boiled flair and monumental emoting. She had wanted to buy the rights years before but was beat out by 20th Century Fox and campaigned hard to get to play the lead. Considering the restrictions of the era, Preminger managed to make "Daisy Kenyon" feel modern with credible characters reacting to challenging love situations believably and honestly.
"Dead Man" (1995)
"Dead Man" is Jim Jarmusch's version of a western; a dark, trippy and surreal adventure involving a meek, soft-spoken man who ends up becoming a wanted, gun-toting outlaw. Johnny Depp plays William Blake who we meet on a train heading to the frontier town of Machine from Cleveland. Selling everything he owns to get there for an accounting position he had been promised at the Dickinson metal shop, Blake discovers there is no job available with the owner (Robert Mitchum in his final film role) showing him to the door at gunpoint. Broke and homeless, the mild mannered Blake encounters Thel (Mili Avital), a lovely former working girl now making a living selling paper flowers, and offers him to stay with her for the night. But they are interrupted by Charlie (Gabriel Byrne), her former lover, who is not thrilled with this situation. Bullets soon fly across the room ending with Thel murdered by Charlie and (in self-defense) Blake shoots him dead. As Charlie happens to be the son of Dickinson, the distraught businessman sets a bounty out on Blake, wanted dead or alive, and hires a posse of outlaws (Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott and Eugene Byrd) to track him down. On the run, a wounded Blake encounters a Native American named Nobody (Gary Farmer) who helps heal him and believes he's the reincarnation of the English poet, William Blake.
The filmmaker has no interest in the deeply embedded, nonsense found in many Hollywood westerns where most white men were the virtuous heroes while the Native Americans are nothing more than blood-thirsty primitives. In "Dead Man", the Natives are presented as humane and enlightened with the pale faces appear unpredictably crazed and dangerous. And since this is a Jarmusch film, this quirky western features offbeat comedic moments, unhurried pacing and sudden bursts of bloody violence. Shot in crisp black & white by cinematographer, Robby Müller and with a rousing original musical score by rocker, Neil Young, "Dead Man" is far from top-notch Jarmusch. Yet the film still manages to engage with an eccentric sense of style and unsettling mood.
"Marty" (1955)
I had avoided for years watching "Marty", the story of a lonely butcher seeking love and companionship, despite the film winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Oscar for Best Picture back in 1955 (one of only four films that managed to accomplish this feat). Despite all the acclaim I remained hesitant, feeling like it would be nothing more than an overwrought melodrama. But I recently gave in and finally watched "Marty". Now I must admit I made a huge misjudgment about this film. With a poignant screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky (another Oscar winner) and some outstanding naturalistic performances, "Marty" is a well-crafted and expressive small-scale drama filled with grand, complex human emotions.
Working as a butcher in the Bronx, Marty Piletti (Ernest Borgnine) is continuously scolded by the nosy neighborhood women that he should be ashamed for not settling down and getting married. But it's not like he hasn't tried meeting a nice girl. Tending to be shy and socially awkward, this makes dating very difficult for Marty. With his brothers and sisters already off and married, Marty is still living at home with their mother (Esther Minciotti) who worries about her son. One evening, with Marty at home and no plans on going out, Teresa pushes him to go dancing.
Reluctantly, Marty heads out to a dancehall with his also-single, best friend, Angie (Joe Mantell) with the hope they might meet some women. Marty runs in to Clara, (Betsy Blair) a high school teacher crying after being dumped by her blind date. They spend the evening together talking with these two lonely people making a deep emotional connection. But his friend and mother, feeling Clara is not good enough for him, both encourage him to move on and keep looking for a more suitable mate. Marty is left with a struggle between following his heart or listening to people he thinks knows what's best for him.
"Marty" began as a teleplay in 1953 during the early days of television with Rod Steiger playing the title role. For the film, Chayefsky expanded the script and after Steiger declined to take part, Borgnine took over playing Marty, going on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor and become a movie star. Borgnine and Blair have a lovely chemistry as two people, isolated and assuming they're unattractive, helping each other to feel less alone and desirable. After directing hundreds of hours of live television, Delbert Mann got his first opportunity to direct a feature film with "Marty". Having only sixteen days to shoot and a very low budget, Mann used his experience to craft an economical yet substantial drama and would receive the Best Director Oscar for his efforts. Please don't make my mistake: "Marty" is a beautifully moving film filled with absorbing passion and unfortunate heartbreak that should be sought out and seen.
I am shocked and sadden about the passing of Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress who dazzled audiences with her many screen performances. It was announced that the Los Angeles born and raised actor had died on October 11th at the age of seventy-nine with no cause has been disclosed to date. With a charming quirkiness, self-deprecating wit and an eccentric, spontaneous spirit, Keaton brought to mind the classic screwball movie comedian while still capturing a unique modern sensibility. And the distinctive wardrobe she wore off screen which usually consisted of tailored menswear, extra wide belts and a bowler hat made Keaton become a style icon.
Born Diane Hall, she had gotten into theater during high school which sparked her interest in pursuing acting as a career. She briefly attended college in Santa Ana before dropping out and heading to New York. Discovering there was already a "Diane Hall" in the Actors' Equity Association, she took her mother's maiden name of "Keaton" as her stage name. Her first stage opportunity came when she was cast as part of the ensemble in the original Broadway production of "Hair" with Keaton famously declining to appear nude on stage even with the offer of a fifty dollar bonus. But Keaton's career would take off in 1969 after meeting Woody Allen and being cast in his play, "Play it Again, Sam". The comedy would earn Keaton a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Heading back to Los Angeles, she would appear in several television sitcoms, dramas and commercials.
Keaton's first significant film role was as Kay Adams-Corleone in "The Godfather" with director, Francis Ford Coppola casting her after noticing the actress in her 1970 film debut, "Lovers and Other Strangers". The film was a critical and box-office success, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Keaton would appear in the film's sequel two years later (also winning Best Picture) with her role far more substantial.
In 1972, Keaton co-starred with Allen in the film version of "Play it Again, Sam", directed by Herbert Ross. Once Allen decided to begin to direct his screenplays, he cast Keaton (who had a brief romantic relationship with him and remained life-long friends) in many of his features beginning with "Sleeper" in 1973 and "Love and Death" two years later. Allen has said that the character of "Annie Hall" was inspired by Keaton and the film would become a big box-office hit and received wide critical acclaim, winning four Academy Awards including Best Actress for Keaton and Best Picture. She would appear in his other films, "Interiors", "Manhattan" and "Manhattan Murder Mystery".
Other notable films that starred Keaton include the dramas, "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (where she played against type as a schoolteacher for deaf children who at night hung out at bars to pick-up men), "Reds" (receiving a Best Actress Oscar nomination), "Shoot the Moon" and comedies, "Crimes of the Heart", "Baby Boom", a remake of "Father of the Bride" and the sequel. Keaton soon turned her attention to directing, first music videos, episodes of drama series and two films for television before making a documentary feature, "Heaven" in 1987 about the possibility of an afterlife. Her first feature film as a director was in 1995 with "Unstrung Heroes", a '60's set comedy-drama about a boy dealing with his mother struggling with cancer with Andie MacDowell and John Turturro. She would also direct and co-star in the 2000 comedy (featuring a screenplay by Nora and Delia Ephron), "Hanging Up" with Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow.
Keaton continued to perform as an actor appearing in "The Godfather Part III", "Marvin's Room" (where she received another Best Actress Oscar nomination), "The Family Stone", "Mad Money", "Book Club", "Something's Got to Give" (receiving her final Best Actress Oscar nomination) and "The First Wives Club", the popular box-office smash with Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler which has developed a cult following. Keaton's final screen appearance was last year in the comedy, "Summer Camp" which she co-starred with Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.
Keaton was actively involved in the art scene in Los Angeles, particularly photography, and restoring then selling landmark homes throughout the area. And while she was involved in several high profile romances which included Allen, Al Pacino and Warren Beatty, Keaton was never married. She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke Keaton who were adapted when she was in her 50's.
Not all of the movies that Keaton appeared in were well received or memorable but the actress was consistently pointed as the highlight of any given film, praising her gift for an offbeat approach to her characters while remaining authentic with every performance. Diane Keaton was a true original and her remarkable artistry will absolutely be missed.
The 2025 AFI Fest Film Festival will be on the way to showcase the latest films from across the globe in the heart of Hollywood. The fest will be held from October 22nd to 26th with most of the screenings to be at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.
The fest will offer Red Carpet premieres, Special Screenings, Luminaries, Discovery, World Cinema, Documentary, After Dark and Short Film programs. AFI 2025 will open with "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" from writer/director Scott Cooper. Jeremy Allen White stars as the legendary rock musician, Bruce Springsteen as he prepares to record his next album after achieving major stardom, struggling with this success while haunted by his past. The other films making their premiere will include Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly" with George Clooney and Adam Sandler; "Song Sung Blue" from Craig Brewer involving the true story of a couple (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) starting a Neil Diamond tribute band; "Christy", another based on a true story about a trailblazing female boxer (played by Sydney Sweeney) who achieved fame in the 1990's and "The Spongebob Movie: Search For Squarepants" which continues the adventures of the beloved character on the big screen.
In the Luminaries section, which will highlight the latest films from world-renowned filmmakers, will feature new works from Paolo Sorrentino ("La Grazia"), Werner Herzog ("Ghost Elephants"), Hong Sang-soo ("What Does That Nature Say To You"), Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne ("Young Mothers"), Christian Petzold ("Miroirs no. 3") and François Ozon ("The Stranger").
Some of the Special Screenings will include "The Chronology of Water", the directorial feature debut by actress, Kristen Stewart; "Bugonia", Yorgos Lanthimos’ remake of the 2003 Korean cult classic, "Save the Green Planet!" with Emma Stone and the filmed version of the Tony Award winning revival of the stage musical, "Merrily We Roll Along" with the original Broadway cast, Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lyndsey Mendez.
And Guillermo del Toro was named as Guest Artistic Director for this year's fest. The Oscar-winning filmmaker (who will have his latest anticipated feature, an interpretation of the classic Mary Shelley novel, "Frankenstein", in theaters later in the month) has selected four of his favorite films to present to AFI audiences: "Barry Lyndon", "Fellini's Casanova", "The Duellists" and "L'Arcano Incantatore (Arcane Sorcerer)". These films will be screened at the Egyptian in Hollywood.
For the complete list of films and to purchase tickets, please click below:
The actor, Maggie Gyllenhaal made her directorial debut back in 2021 with the psychological drama, "The Lost Daughter" which she would receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Now she is finally returning behind the camera with "The Bride!", a bold reimaging of the 1935 Hollywood film, "The Bride of Frankenstein" which was based on the character created by Mary Shelley.
Set in 1930's Chicago, the Frankenstein monster (Christian Bale) asks Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. Much like how he was created, they take a recently deceased woman (Jessie Buckley) and bring her back to life in order to become his "bride".
The teaser trailer has just been released for the film (which will reach theaters early next year) and it reveals a less gothic and more naturalistic setting. It's been said that "The Bride!" will have elements of modern bloody horror and more character driven. Gyllenhaal's brother, Jake; her husband, Peter Sarsgaard and Penélope Cruz will also star.
"The Bride!" is due in US theaters on March 6, 2025
The 63rd annual New York Film Festival is set to begin on September 26th and running through October 13th. This celebration of film will present new and important cinematic works from around the world, many we will be able to see in local theaters over the next few months.
The fest opens with the latest from Luca Guadagnino with "After The Hunt", a psychological drama with Julia Roberts as a Yale professor whose privileged life is turned upside down after her protégée (Ayo Edebiri) accuses her longtime colleague and friend (Andrew Garfield) of sexual assault. The Centerpiece selection is "Father Mother Sister Brother" which just won director, Jim Jarmusch this year's Venice Film FestivalGolden Lion award. The film is set up in three chapters concerning the relationships between adult children reconnecting or coming to terms with their aging or lost parents. And the Closing Night film is the third film by Bradley Cooper as a director, "Is This Thing On?". This comedy-drama involves Will Arnett as a man whose marriage is unraveling, causing him to have an unpredictable midlife crisis which leads him to become a stand-up comic.
With so many films to be screened at the fest, Vulturehas put together a list of a few of the most anticipated films that have made it to NYFF, some after premiering at other well-known festivals earlier in the year.
Please click below to see the twenty-six films that have been highlighted:
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