The 32nd Philly Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Oct 19th, 2023, and runs till Sunday, Oct 29th. It’s a great program this year with premieres from local filmmakers as well as some studio films that are making the festival rounds. I’m excited to see “American Fiction”, the Opening Night Film. This satirical comedy is the directorial debut of Cord Jefferson and stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, and Sterling K. Brown. The film won the Audience Award at the Mill Valley Film Festival this last weekend.
It’s wonderful to celebrate local talent with a selection of short films directed by Philadelphia filmmakers. Screening twice, you can check out Filmadelphia Shorts on Thu, Oct 26th and Sun, Oct 29th. There’s three Philly feature films screening: For a look at how basketball is helping some Philly teens work to overcome violence, there’s “Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia” (Kyra Knox). Screening Tues, Oct 24th and Sat, Oct 28th. “Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School” (Amy Schatz) is playing Friday, Oct 20th with the director and producer in attendance.
From the Philly Film Society: “We have two very special guests scheduled to attend with post-screening Q&As — John Legend for STAND UP AND SHOUT: SONGS FROM A PHILLY HIGH SCHOOL and Allen Iverson for BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN PHILADELPHIA!” PFF32 Instagram post on 10/18/23. Here’s an updated list of invited guests and the films with Q&A’s: click this link.
A live performance follows the screening of documentary, “Art Dealers” (Roy Power, Adam Weiner) featuring the Philly band Low Cut Connie. Frontman Adam Weiner and the charismatic band are captured live during a NYC concert for the release of their latest album.
There are a couple of films that I missed at the Telluride Film Festival that I hope to catch in Philly. “American Symphony” is a documentary following award-winning musician Jon Baptiste in a year of personal struggles and professional triumphs. “The Monk and the Gun”, “The Taste of Things”, “Rustin”, “Fancy Dance” and “Fallen Leaves” are all on my list.
One film that I’ve seen and can highly recommend: “Perfect Days”—this meditative film from Wim Wenders was my favorite at Telluride. A beautiful moving tribute to the pleasures of a simple life. I would add a note of caution to those looking to see “Fingernails”. There are wonderful performances by Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed but I didn’t buy the premise of Christos Nikou’s sci-fi relationship drama nor did I enjoy the bloodletting.
There’s plenty of odd happenings in the Closing Night film, “Saltburn” but unlike the love stories at the heart of “Fingernails”, the steamy film from director Emerald Fennell is about power not love. Read my spoiler-free review here: “Dysfunction and Depravity in the Manor House”. Opening Night for PFF last year featured Barry Keoghan in “The Banshees of Innisherin”. How fitting that the Closing Night film this year features Keoghan again…this time in an even juicier role.
There are a few slow, meditative films that you need to be in the mood to enjoy. I was restless during Italian auteur Alice Rohrwacher’s intriguing film, “La Chimera”, a whacky tale of grave robbers and found it unsatisfying. “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” is a mesmerizing directorial debut by award-winning poet Raven Jackson. A title card describing the African tradition of eating clay and less time traveling would’ve gone a long way to making the experience less of a challenge to the audience.
The biggest film for star power and buzz would be “Maestro”, an epic look at legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. The film is directed by, and stars Bradley Cooper with Carey Mulligan as his wife. Another Hollywood film with some Oscar-buzz is the comedy “The Holdovers”, Alexander Payne’s 70’s Christmas college break film starring Paul Giamatti. That film has local release date in a few weeks.
When perusing the film program, I spotted an exciting gothic thriller with two talented stars: Anne Hathaway and the young Tomasin McKenzie (so good in “Last Night in Soho”). I’ll be putting “Eileen” on the top of my list. The costumes look fantastic, and the Hitchcock thriller vibes are tantalizing…plus it’s based on the bestselling novel, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh.
There are horror films and animated shorts, there are classic films and documentaries on a wide array of topics. There’s an inviting festival lounge where you can discuss your films with other film lovers. It’s not a festival for big red-carpet events but there’s an Opening and Closing Night party, and unique to this film festival, there are free film tickets available for a select number of screenings. The Philadelphia Film Festival works hard to make the festival accommodating and appealing to everyone. Go to the website and buy your tickets or passes now.
Drinks with films 