Film Comment Selects 2018 will take place from February 17th to the 23rd. The festival showcases films that aren’t screened anywhere else in New York. Art house titles and indie flicks are the norm here so don’t expect mainstream productions. Read on to find out which films you won’t want to miss at this upcoming West Side event!
The movies selected for Film Comment Selects 2018 bring new voices from around the world into the spotlight. It highlights the works of new filmmakers while also giving them a space where they can be heard and represented. This year’s festival includes U.S. premieres, tributes, and several screenings of older unknown works that remain just as relevant today.
A Woman’s Life
Directed by Stephane Brize
The festival’s opening night slot is reserved for the U.S. premiere of a French period drama. This film is based on a novel by Guy de Maupassant and tells the story of a woman called Jeanne. The movie revolves around her life from being a teenage girl to becoming a grown married woman. Jeanne is also an aristocrat who grows disenchanted with life. “A Woman’s Life” also explores the impact social and cultural norms had on women during the 19th century. It also takes a mystifying look into the way one relates to the world and how that can determine one’s choices and satisfaction in life.
Guilty Men
Directed by Ivan Gaona
The U.S. premiere of Colombian director Ivan Gain’s Western drama. The film takes place in 2005 in rural Colombia when president Uribe enforced the use of paramilitaries. A woman’s life is turned upside down when her ex comes back into town. The woman fears for her safety and everything she’s worked for as her husband grows suspicious of her behavior. “Guilty Men” depicts what happens when the law is loosely followed and violence takes over. A sense of overwhelming powerlessness plagues the film from beginning to end. There’s also a sense of constant tension that ends with a bang. The film touches on contemporary topics such as corruption and political instability.
Voyage of Time: Life’s Journey
Directed by Terrence Malick
The space documentary by acclaimed director Terrence Malick will be featured in a spectacular Ultra-Widescreen 3.6 IMAX screen. This format will also allow viewers to experience the breathtaking images of our universe in a whole new way. The documentary is narrated by Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett. Malick reflects on our place in the universe. He also talks about the meaning of the cosmos. The documentary also includes an extension of his creation of of life scene from “The Tree of Life.” “Voyage of Time” will be screened on the festival’s opening night. An encore showing is also scheduled for February 22 due to popular demand.
Wild Innocence
Directed by Philippe Garrel
“Wild Innocence” will be screened as part of a tribute dedicated to Raoul Coutard. He was one of the best filmmakers to come out from the French New Wave era. The famed cinematographer passed away in November of last year. The festival will also be showcasing some of his lesser known films and this is one of them. The movie tells the story of a director who’s latest film is inspired by one of his past lovers. She was a beautiful model who also tragically overdosed on heroin. However, he has a hard time completing the film and starts spiraling downwards when he discovers the producers are also drug dealers. “Wild Innocence” is filmed in black and white and was originally released in 2001.
God’s Country
Directed by Louis Malle
“God’s Country” was selected as part of the revival program at this year’s festival. The revival program’s mission is to bring attention to unknown films from the past. This hidden gem of a TV documentary was originally released in 1985. It takes place in the small town of Glencoe in Minnesota. The town is home to 5,000 people who rely on the farming industry to make a living. Renowned director Louis Malle visited Glencoe after Ronald Reagan’s reelection. He is surprised to find the town in a deep economic crisis due to agricultural overproduction. Malle explores the lives of these ordinary farmers as many of them head South looking for better opportunities. “God’s Country” is a compelling look into life in the rural Midwest during the mid 1980’s.
Tickets for Film Comment Selects 2018 are $9 for Lincoln Center members and Film Comment subscribers. Student and senior tickets are $11 each. General public admission is $14. There are special passes and packages that you can purchase through their official website by clicking here.
By the way. If you’re interested in arts + theater on the UWS … the Shakespeare in the Park 2019 calendar is out!
