NZFF 2016 Even more titles unveiled
The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) today
announces 13 titles that will screen in the World Strand of the programme with
the support of new sponsor 2degrees.
NZIFF annually hand picks an international selection of
films to feature in the World Strand, the largest section in the catalogue.
Close attention is paid to films lavished with praise or box office success in
their countries of origin, as well as films that have struck programmers as
highlights from a year’s worth of intense viewing that ended only three weeks
ago in Cannes.
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| As I Open my eyes |
“Though we aim to be as international as possible, we don’t
believe in token representation. This year nineteen countries are represented
in this section. We’ve been really struck by the strength of the latest
Italian, Spanish and French cinema in particular,” says NZIFF director Bill
Gosden.
The World Strand at NZIFF is sponsored for the first time in
2016 by 2degrees.
“2degrees is proud to be partnering with the New Zealand International
Film Festival for 2016. This is our first year as sponsors and we are excited
about supporting such a fantastic line up of films in the World Strand across
New Zealand.” says 2degrees Chief Marketing Officer Roy Ong.
The 13 films announced from the World Strand of the
programme today:
Everybody Wants Some!!
Richard Linklater follows Boyhood
by recalling his own first days at college in this hilarious, deeply relaxed
comedy about male bonding, set in the bars, discos, parties and frat houses of
1980 Austin.
“It’s
an effortless cult classic, delivered by a master of the form.” — David Sims, The Atlantic
Captain Fantastic
Renaissance man Viggo Mortensen steals the show as a solo
father whose idealistic way of raising his six children off the grid comes
under attack in this energetic, comedic drama.
“Viggo Mortensen… in a role
that feels designed by the movie gods.” — Dan Mecca, The Film Stage
Truman
Argentine Ricardo DarÃn and Spaniard Javier Cámara
are beautifully paired in the most garlanded Spanish film of the year, a warm
and humorous drama of male friendship shaded with imminent mortality.
“Ricardo DarÃn and Javier Cámara take Cesc Gay and Tomà s Aragay’s superb screenplay and offer an acting
masterclass in Truman, a low key, character driven buddy movie laced
with black humour and emotion.” — Clive Botting, Huffington Post UK
Perfect Strangers
A gathering of old friends
accepts the challenge to share all incoming calls and messages. It’s a game you
won’t want to emulate at your next dinner party, but dammit, you’ll be thinking
about it.
“Remakes will be rampant of
this discomforting dramedy where friends play a game reading aloud incoming
cell phone messages at a dinner party.” — Jay Weissberg, Variety
Suburra
This bloody, brutal crime saga boasts the epic sprawl of the mob
classics it emulates, but with a lurid energy all of its own. With a throbbing
score from electronic heavyweights M83.
“Suburra drops the
viewer directly into a miasma of corruption… [and] will command your attention
all the way to its bloody and operatic finale.” — Michael
Jaconelli, The Skinny
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| Everybody Wants Some! |
The Daughter
The most lauded Australian drama of
the last year, this bold, superbly acted debut from acclaimed theatre director
Simon Stone reimagines Ibsen’s The Wild Duck in a contemporary small
town.
“Australian director Simon Stone, along with big names Geoffrey Rush, Sam Neill
and Miranda Otto, take Ibsen’s The Wild Duck to dark new places.” — Tara
Brady, Irish Times
As I Open My Eyes
Tradition butts up against progress
in Leyla Bouzid’s debut, a musically charged French-Tunisian film that follows
a young woman in a band as she navigates familial and cultural strictures on
the eve of the Jasmine Revolution.
“A
great film. A film with heart and passion, one that can color one’s dreams and
inspire one’s days.” — E. Nina Rothe, Huffington
Post
Things to Come
Isabelle
Huppert essays a self-possessed woman confronting unexpected changes in her
life and work in Mia Hansen-Løve’s heartfelt and perceptive portrait of middle
age.
“No
festival should be without a superb Huppert performance, and Mia Hansen-Løve’s
insightful, literate and moving drama gives her sterling material to work
with.” — Jonathan Romney, The Observer
Thithi
From India’s southern state of
Karnataka, this award-winning comic gem made by first-time director Raam Reddy
charms with its easygoing naturalism, evocative setting and colourful cast of
characters.
“Raam Reddy’s bold, vibrant first feature is closer to Émile
Zola than it is to Bollywood.” — New Directors/New Films
The Innocents
Based on a true story from post-World War II Poland, this
satisfying drama follows a young female French doctor who finds herself caught
up in the lives of nuns, traumatised and shamed by their wartime suffering.
“Anne Fontaine’s finest film in
years observes the crises of faith that emerge in a war-ravaged Polish
convent.” — Justin Chang, Variety
After the Storm
A formerly successful
novelist tries to reconnect with his ex-wife and young son in this
affectionate, shrewdly observed drama of family life from Japan’s unassuming
master, Kore-eda Hirokazu (Our Little Sister).
“Even long-standing fans of
the Japanese filmmaker might be taken aback by the supreme subtlety of his
latest, achingly beautiful ode to the quiet complexities of family life.” —
Robbie Colin, The Telegraph
Julieta
Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar (All About My
Mother) returns to his roots with another satisfying female-centric
emotional drama, cutting between past and present to explore the loves and
regrets of his anxious heroine.
“Julieta
is a guilt-soaked pleasure… it’s like an unexpectedly dry martini in a dazzling
Z-stem glass.” — Tim Robey, The Telegraph
Personal Shopper
Kristen Stewart reunites with Clouds of Sils Maria
director Oliver Assayas to play a young American in Paris, buying haute couture
for her celebrity boss, and seeking contact with the spirit of her dead twin
brother.
“Personal Shopper is
affecting, singular and a great showcase for Kristen Stewart.” — Josh Cabrita, We’ve
Got This Covered
NZIFF is run by a charitable trust and encourages lively interactions
between films, filmmakers and New Zealand audiences in 13 towns and cities
around the country. The full NZIFF programme will be available from Tuesday 21
June and tickets on sale from Friday 24 June from Ticketmaster for Auckland.
Wellington programme will be available from Friday 24 June and tickets on sale
from Thursday 30 June via nziff.co.nz. NZIFF 2016 dates are:
Auckland 14
– 31 July
Wellington
22 July – 7 August
Christchurch
28 July – 14 August
Dunedin 4 –
21 August
Further regional dates, along with ticketing information can
be found at
nziff.co.nz.
