LIGHT NEEDS

LIGHT NEEDS is an experimental documentary about houseplants who cohabitate with people and the surprisingly intimate and complex relationships that can develop between them. Yet, this film is not just a document of houseplants, but rather a consideration of the benefits and losses accrued through the social contracts between plant and animal. LIGHT NEEDS looks to shine a light on the responsibility for care towards other living beings, by directly attending to the relationships humans have with nonhumans.

Why this pick?

As they say in the movie, plants are good for us and good for our souls. And that's just how I feel about this film.

LIGHT NEEDS

GHOSTLIGHT

When a construction worker unexpectedly joins a local theater's production of ROMEO AND JULIET, the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life. Featuring a real family in the main roles, GHOSTLIGHT demonstrates the power of the arts with an authenticity that only true family ties can create. Filmmaking duo Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan (SAINT FRANCES, MFF2019) return to the Festival with a film that will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.

Why this pick?

I was in love with this movie as is, but once I found out the lead actors were a real family, I lost my mind and I can't wait to rewatch it with that context. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

GHOSTLIGHT

HAJJAN

In the highly competitive world of desert camel racing, young Ghanim dreams of seizing victory in the annual Great Safwa Race to honor his legendary grandfather, known only as Hajjan – “The Jockey”. But tragedy strikes when he is thrown from his mount by a mysterious rider, resulting in his tragic death. Witnessing his older brother's suspicious demise, orphaned Mattar vows to restore his family honor, embarking on a mission to become a Hajjan himself.

Why this pick?

If Hofira the camel has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Hofira the camel has one fan, then I'm that one. If Hofira the camel has no fans, that means I'm dead.

HAJJAN

LA CHIMERA

Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. For Arthur, the Chimera looks like the woman he lost, Beniamina. Festival darling Alice Rohrwacher directs the ragtag cast through this archaeological mystery, featuring turns from the great Isabella Rosselini and Josh O'Connor (THE CROWN, CHALLENGERS).

Why this pick?

If you, like me, wanted to be an archaeologist when you were little, then this is the movie for you!

LA CHIMERA

IN A VIOLENT NATURE

When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime, his body is resurrected and becomes hellbent on retrieving it. The undead golem hones in on the group of vacationing teens responsible for the theft and proceeds to methodically slaughter them one by one in this ambient slasher full of rampage and retribution.

Why this pick?

Somehow this movie manages to have some of the most stunningly outrageous kills I've ever seen in a slasher, while simultaneously being quite soothing and peaceful! Demands to be seen with an audience.

IN A VIOLENT NATURE

MENUS-PLAISIRS LES TROIGROS

Esteemed documentarian Frederick Wiseman’s latest is a food-lover’s heaven — a long, behind-the-scenes excursion into the world of France’s venerable restaurant La Maison Troisgros, which has held three Michelin stars for more than five decades. The film shows the great artistry ingenuity, imagination, and hard work of the restaurant staff in creating, preparing, and presenting meals of the highest quality.

Why this pick?

I will never stop laughing about the awful American customers in this movie. Make sure you have good dinner plans afterwards.

MENUS-PLAISIRS LES TROIGROS

MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAINS follows Xavier, a demolition worker who dreams of buying a bigger house for his family. Junior, his college-dropout son, struggles against his rigid expectations by day, while quietly pursuing a career as a stand-up comic by night. Monica Sorelle’s narrative feature debut is a slice-of-life story of a family man contending with aspiration and housing insecurity in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. What results is a loving portrait of the Haitian community in Miami.

Why this pick?

Such a well realized story about a family in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. Each family member gets their time in the spotlight and you learn so much about the immigrant experience in such a personal way. I anticipate director Monica Sorelle will be a household name in no time.

MOUNTAINS

RIDDLE OF FIRE

Three rascal children run afoul of an enigmatic coven in Weston Razooli’s whimsical neo-fairytale, which evokes a menagerie of esoteric genres and dreamy cult-film vibes. Immerse yourself in the wonder at one of our screenings in the main house of the Oriental Theatre featuring a 35mm print! The screenplay truly embraces the spirit of 80s era children's films with some playful coarse language, so language-sensitive parents beware.

Why this pick?

I wish I was a kid riding around on a motorbike with a paintball gun looking for supplies to make a pie, but I guess watching it in a movie is almost as good. The whimsical worldbuilding in this film will be even more heightened on the big screen with the 35mm print.

RIDDLE OF FIRE

THELMA

When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Inspired by a real-life experience of writer-director Josh Margolin’s own centenarian grandmother. Shining a spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero, THELMA puts a clever and humorous spin on movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.

Why this pick?

Charming in every way, but fans of I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE will be extra excited about an inspired cameo.

THELMA

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS

Azra is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined, from her mother’s youth in Karachi to her own coming-of-age in rural Canada. From MFF alum Fawzia Mirza (AUNTIE, NOOR AND LAYLA), THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS is a touching dramedy exploring intergenerational connections between mothers and daughters, East and West, home and away.

Why this pick?

Had me beaming from ear to ear the whole time. Full of infectious energy and I can't wait for the filmmaker Q&A at our Centerpiece screening.

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS

Jack Feria - GenreQueer and Shorts Programmer

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Ernie Quiroz – Cine Sin Fronteras Programmer

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