Each year, the Film Society of Lincoln Center assembles a diverse lineup of movies from across the world to showcase at the annual New York Film Festival. In 2017, two little–known indie films snagged spots in NYFF55’s main slate of twenty–five movies. Months later, Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird were launched into the mainstream, each nominated for the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Picture. If you’re like me, this lack of foresight about the future success of these two films had a direct consequence—the failure to meet Timothée Chalamet in person before he was taking selfies with Kobe Bryant and running around in Gucci suits.
Because no one should have to make that mistake again, here’s your guide to this year’s New York Film Festival, running Friday, September 28 through Sunday, October 14. Whether you want to pop on a Megabus to NYC to get in on the action or stay ahead of the culture curve leading up to awards season, here are five movies to look out for:
The Favourite—Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
From Director Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite is set in 18th century England in the midst of war with France and tells the story of the sexually–charged rivalry between Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), and her servant Abigail Hill (Emma Stone). Lady Sarah has taken to governing in place of the increasingly frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) in addition to serving as her caretaker. Although Abigail initially charms Sarah, their relationship does not stop her from seizing the opportunity to replace Sarah as the Queen’s companion. The Favourite is slated as the NYFF56 festival opener and will hit theaters November 23, 2018.
If Beale Could Talk—Dir. Barry Jenkins
Tatum Mangus / Annapurna Pictures
If Beale Could Talk is an adaptation of the James Baldwin novel by the same name. The film tells the story of two childhood friends, Fonny (Stephan James) and Tish (Kiki Layne), who fall in love as they enter into young adulthood. When Tish becomes pregnant and Fonny is convicted of a crime he did not commit, the couple must navigate their relationship within the context of the injustice and racism of their world. If Beale Could Talk is director Barry Jenkins’s follow–up to the highly–regarded Moonlight, which nabbed the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016. The film is slated to hit theaters November 30, 2018.
High Life—Dir. Claire Denis
This sci–fi thriller takes place on a spaceship controlled by a group of death row prisoners, tasked with harnessing the energy of a black hole. The film also tracks Monte’s (Robert Pattinson) relationship with his daughter Willow (Jessie Ross), who he was forced to father against his will through artificial insemination. The father and daughter live in isolation, as the sole remaining members aboard their aircraft. High Life generated significant buzz after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, with A24, the distribution company behind Lady Bird, Moonlight, and Ex Machina, acquiring North American distribution rights to the film. High Life is the English language debut for critically acclaimed Director Claire Denis.
Roma—Dir. Alfonso Cuarón
Directed by Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, Roma is the centerpiece of the 56th New York Film Festival. Cuarón is well–known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Y Tu Mama Tambien in addition to directing Gravity, which won him the Oscar for Best Director in 2014. Set in Mexico City in the 1970’s, Roma follows the story of a beloved live–in nanny and housekeeper who help a middle–class mother of four while her husband is away. Non–cinephiles may be familiar with Cuarón’s work in directing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which should be noted is without a doubt the best movie in the series, in my extremely professional opinion. Roma will have a limited theatrical release on December 14, 2018, when it will also become available on Netflix.
Shoplifters—Dir. Hirokazu Kore–eda
Shoplifters has already been recognized in the world of film, taking home the highest accolade, the Palme d’Or, from the Cannes Film Festival this May. Directed by Hirokazu Kore–eda, the film tells the story of an unique “family,” connected by their propensity for petty crime and powerful love for one another. Based on its performance at Cannes, Shoplifters is well–positioned for a Best Foreign Picture Oscar nom.
Bored over fall break? You can purchase tickets to see any of these movies and their accompanying talks here.
