It’s that time of year again! The Film Society of Lincoln Center has completely announced their three spotlight selections and main slate for the 53rd New York Film Festival. Last year, David Fincher’s Gone Girl, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) were the marvelous trifecta that captured audiences everywhere. Interestingly enough, all three of this year’s films are biographic, in contrast to the fictional stories before.
OPENING NIGHT – The Walk
Robert Zemeckis, the legendary filmmaker responsible for the likes of Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and Cast Away, will be telling the tale of Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who famously walked in between the World Trade Center buildings in 1974. Petit’s daring feat, documented in his own words, was explored in the 2008 documentary Man on Wire, which itself won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The Walk stars Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Steve Valentine, and Charlotte Le Bon.
CENTERPIECE – Steve Jobs
From director Danny Boyle, we get to see the “official” portrait of the late tech visionary Steve Jobs, former founder and CEO of Apple. Previously, the 2013 film Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher was widely met with criticism for its seemingly lenient use of facts. Steve Jobs, however, will be adapted officially from Walter Isaacason’s best-selling biography. The film is a series of three acts, each dedicated to a certain point of time in Jobs’ history. Steve Jobs stars Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, Kate Winslet, and Jeff Daniels.
CLOSING NIGHT – Miles Ahead
Don Cheadle directs and stars in a biographical drama based on the life of famous jazz musician Miles Davis. This marks Cheadle’s directorial debut and return to deep dramatic acting after an ongoing stint as James Rhodes/War Machine/Iron Patriot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Davis’ toe-tapping rhythms and multi-instrumental arrangements are contrasted with his later life and declining health. Miles Ahead also stars Emayatzy Corinealdi, Ewan McGregor, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Keith Stanfield.
MAIN SLATE – Various
In addition to the three tentpole films, 26 others have been selected for this year’s festival. Some notable films include Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, Michael Moore’s Where to Invade Next, Rebecca Miller’s Maggie’s Plan, Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin, Todd Haynes’ Carol, and many others.
We at MMMFilm have enjoyed bring you coverage of the New York Film Festival the past two years, and this year will hopefully be just as grand. If you’d like to see our reviews from last year, look no further.
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