The 22nd Annual New Orleans Film Festival has been going strong since Friday and the cinematic festivities continue through Thursday night, October 20. While some great films have already screened, but it ain’t over yet, there are lots of other standout films yet to come in the final days of the fest. Also, many of those that have already screened may have encore showings these days as well. Check the New Orleans Film Society’s official website for a full schedule.
Here is quick rundown of some of the remaining films:
Brighton Rock
An adaptation of Graham Greene's classic novel about a small-town hood who marries a waitress who witnessed him murdering a rival thug in order to keep her quiet. As his gang begins to doubt his abilities, the man becomes more desperate and violent.
Watch the trailer for this film posted in the VIDEO box on the left side of the article.
This British crime film stars Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Serkis, Helen Mirren, and John Hurt. The film premiered at TIFF and has been nominated for several British Independent Film Awards.
Brighton Rock will screen Tuesday, OCT 18 (7:35 pm) and Wednesday, OCT 19 (2:30 pm) – both at the Prytania Theatre.
The Florestine Collection
Experimental animator Helen Hill found more than 100 handmade dresses in a trash pile on one Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans. She set out to make a film about the dressmaker, an elderly seamstress who had recently passed away.
Helen Hill was murdered during a home invasion in 2007 and most of the dresses and film were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Her husband, Paul Gailiunas, has completed the film using animation and restored footage.
The Florestine Collection will screen Tuesday, OCT 18 (6:00 pm) at the Contemporary Arts Center and again Wednesday, OCT 19 (5:30 pm) at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center. Read my previous film on filmmaker Helen Hill and her work here.
Swamp Shark
When an animal smuggling deal goes wrong, a large sea creature is unleashed into the swampy backwoods of the Atchafalaya Basin just as the local Gator Fest is set to begin. When a local is killed, the victim’s family and a mysterious stranger set out find the creature and clear their names.
Watch the trailer for this film posted in the VIDEO box on the left side of the article.
This fun and campy sci-fi/horror film stars Kristy Swanson, D.B. Sweeney, Robert Davi, and Jeff Chase.
Swamp Shark will screen Tuesday, OCT 18 (9:30 pm) at Chalmette Movies. Also, the film’s star Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dude Where’s My Car?, Big Daddy) will be in attendance for the screening!
Melancholia
Two sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide into the Earth.
Watch the trailer for this film posted in the VIDEO box on the left side of the article.
From controversial director Lars von Trier (Antichrist, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark), Melancholia stars Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Keifer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Udo Kier, Alexander Skarsgård, and Stellan Skarsgård. The film has been highly praised in limited release.
Melancholia has already screen once at the festival (Sunday night), but will screen again Wednesday, OCT 19 (5:45) at the Prytania Theatre.
The Hedgehog
Paloma is a serious, but deeply bored 11-year old, who has decided to kill herself on her twelfth birthday. But as her appointment with death approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits, in her building's grumpy concierge, and an enigmatic, elegant neighbor, both of whom inspire Paloma to question her rather pessimistic outlook on life.
Watch the trailer for this film posted in the VIDEO box on the left side of the article.
This French film, based on the beloved New York Times bestseller, will screen Wednesday, OCT 19 (8:20) and Thursday, OCT 20 (2:30) – both showings at the Prytania Theatre.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.
Watch the trailer for this film posted in the VIDEO box on the left side of the article.
MMMM stars Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley), Hugh Dancy, Brady Corbet, Sarah Paulson, and Academy Award-nominee John Hawkes. It premiered earlier this year to rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.
Martha Marcy May Marlene is the festival’s Closing Night Film. Its lone screening is Thursday, OCT 20 (7:30 pm) at the Prytania Theatre.
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Also screening this week:
Music From The Big House, award-winning recording artist, Rita Chiarelli, takes a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues, Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary aka Angola Prison. Tuesday, OCT 18 (8:00 pm) at CAC.
Rejoice and Shout, traces the evolution of Gospel through its many musical styles – the spirituals and early hymns, the four-part harmony-based quartets, the integration of blues and swing into Gospel, the emergence of Soul, and the blending of Rap and Hip Hop elements – and also is how Gospel music walked in step with the story of African-American culture. FREE SCREENING Tuesday, OCT 18 (6:30) atAshé Cultural Arts Center.
Matching Jack, a woman struggles with her son's illness and her husband's infidelity, but, after a chance encounter with an Irish sailor and his son, her life is turned upside down. Tuesday, OCT 18 (7:40 pm) at The Theatres at Canal Place.
Puppet, this film attempts to rectify the recent dismissal of puppetry while weaving together three stories: the story of Disfarmer, the story of a director Dan Hurlin’s struggle to create the story of Disfarmer, and the story of the puppeteers bringing the story to life. Wednesday, OCT 18 (8:15) at Zeitgeist.
The Human Centipede 2, sequel to the grotesque cult horror film about a disturbed loner who dreams of creating a 12-person human centipede and sets out to realize his sick fantasy. Wednesday, OCT 19 (9:30 pm) and Tuesday, OCT 20 (9:30 pm) – both at Chalmette Movies.
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And do not forget, there are many encore screenings for film’s already screened and those I have already covered. For more info on those films and more, check out my previous NOFF Spotlight articles: Opening Night, Documentaries, I Love Louisiana Day!, and OUTakes series.
You can also visit the New Orleans Film Society’s official website, for a full schedule and rundown of all films playing at this year’s fest.
Tickets for all screenings through the fest can be purchased at NOFF box office at the Contemporary Arts Center or at the various screenings' venues located throughout the city. But hurry, tickets are going fast.
Keep reading in the coming days for much more info, previews, reviews, and coverage of the 22nd New Orleans Film Festival.
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