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New York Film Festival · 2014

New York Film Festival 2014

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Programme

31 films · 24 reviews

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'71

Review preview for '71

Burke is interested in people not politics, keeping the focus on the sudden outbreaks of inhumanity and humanity in the madness, expertly crafting his thriller from the swirling fog of war.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
A young British soldier is accidentally left behind by his unit on the deadly streets of Belfast in 1971.

(Country: UK; Year: 2014; Director: Yann Demange; Writer: Gregory Burke; Stars: Jack O'Connell, Paul Anderson, Sean Harris, Charlie Murphy, Sam Reid, David Wilmot, Sam Hazeldine, Martin McCann, Killian Scott, Jack Lowden, Valene Kane, Tom Raven, Barry Keoghan, Paul Popplewell, Gerard Jordan)

Full review

Beloved Sisters (Die geliebten Schwestern)

Review preview for Beloved Sisters

This sympathetic and thoughtful portrayal of the many faces of marriage avoids clichés about the good old days as well as the bad ones.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 5 out of 5
Two sisters both fall for the same man - poet Friedrich Schiller.

(Country: Germany; Year: 2014; Director: Dominik Graf; Writer: Dominik Graf; Stars: Henriette Confurius, Florian Stetter, Hannah Herzsprung, Claudia Messner, Ronald Zehrfeld, Andreas Pietschmann, Maja Maranow, Eli Wasserscheid, Bennet Meyer, Michael Wittenborn, Peter Schneider, Anne Schäfer, Klaus Lehmann, Philipp Oehme, Martin Trippensee)

Full review See: Fokus: Films From Germany - season preview , Uschi Reich in conversation on Beloved Sisters

North American premiere.

Birdman (Birdman Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance )

Review preview for Birdman

There's some great black comedy here, at times spectacularly cruel.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A washed-up actor makes a bid on Broadway to reclaim his former glory.

(Country: US, France; Year: 2014; Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu; Writer: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo; Stars: Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Michael Keaton, Andrea Riseborough, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan, Merritt Wever, Natalie Gold, Joel Garland, Anna Hardwick, Carrie Ormond, Clark Middleton, Bill Camp, Stefanie Bari)

Full review

Closing gala.

The Blue Room (La Chambre Bleue)

Review preview for The Blue Room

François Gédigier's inspired editing trusts that mismatched sounds and images form an emotional whole.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
Psychological thriller about a couple's torrid affair.

(Country: France; Year: 2014; Director: Mathieu Amalric; Writer: Mathieu Amalric and Stéphanie Cléau, based on the book by Georges Simenon; Stars: Mathieu Amalric, Léa Drucker, Stéphanie Cléau, Mona Jaffart, Laurent Poitrenaux)

Full review See: Mathieu Amalric in conversation on The Blue Room , Mathieu Amalric in conversation on The Blue Room

North American premiere.

Citizenfour

Review preview for Citizenfour

This is the first essential film about the post-Snowden era, made by one of the key figures who helped usher that era into being.

Owen Van Spall · 5 out of 5
Documentary about Edward Snowden.

(Year: 2014; Director: Laura Poitras)

Full review

Clouds Of Sils Maria

Review preview for Clouds Of Sils Maria

There is much irony on the theme of generational gulfs, internet obsessions and the nature of creativity and culture. Unfortunately none of it rings true.

Richard Mowe · 2 out of 5
A reclusive actress on the brink of divorce is asked to take on a challenging role - that of a doomed woman whose betrayer she made her name as.

(Country: France, Switzerland, Germany; Year: 2014; Director: Olivier Assayas; Writer: Olivier Assayas; Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Kristen Stewart, Juliette Binoche, Brady Corbet, Claire Tran, Johnny Flynn) , Trailer

Full review See: Interview with Olivier Assayas about Clouds Of Sils Maria

US premiere.

Eden

Review preview for Eden

Hansen-Løve's momentary excursions into animation, split screen, and possibly re-writing of world history are the most effective parts.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
Paul is taking his first steps as a DJ in the world of French house music.

(Country: France; Year: 2014; Director: Mia Hansen-Løve; Writer: Mia Hansen-Løve, Sven Hansen-Løve; Stars: Greta Gerwig, Brady Corbet, Golshifteh Farahani, Claire Tran, Arsinée Khanjian, Crystal Lonneberg, Laura Smet, Félix de Givry, Selcuk Demir, Vincent Lacoste, Pauline Etienne, Vincent Macaigne, Shirville Jarvis, Roman Kolinka, Matthias Van Khache, Reginald L. Wilson)

Full review See: Interview with Mia Hansen-Løve about Eden

US premiere.

Foxcatcher

Review preview for Foxcatcher

Bennett Miller has secured his place at the forefront of directors who excel at character studies.

Owen Van Spall · 5 out of 5
The story of wrestling stars Mark and Dave Schultz and their poisonous relationship with John du Pont.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Bennett Miller; Writer: E Max Frye, Dan Futterman; Stars: Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Steve Carell, Anthony Michael Hall)

Full review

Gone Girl

Review preview for Gone Girl

Rosamund Pike is a revelation as the woman who can be everything you want her to be - and, especially, what you definitely don't want her to be.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4.5 out of 5
A man finds himself in the media spotlight after his wife disappears.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: David Fincher; Writer: Gillian Flynn, Gillian Flynn; Stars: Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Missi Pyle, Carrie Coon, Neil Patrick Harris, Scoot McNairy, Tyler Perry, Lisa Banes, David Clennon, Emily Ratajkowski, Patrick Fugit, Boyd Holbrook, Kim Dickens, Casey Wilson, Lee Norris, Sela Ward, Kathleen Rose Perkins)

Full review See: Article about the Opening Night World Premiere of Gone Girl at the New York Film Festival with David Fincher, Ben Affleck and more

Opening night gala. World premiere.

Goodbye To Language 3D (Adieu Au Langage)

Musings on relationship problems, betrayal and identity.

(Country: Switzerland; Year: 2013; Director: Jean-Luc Godard; Writer: Jean-Luc Godard; Stars: Kamel Abdeli, Dimitri Basil, Zoé Bruneau, Richard Chevallier)

Heaven Knows What

A couple in NYC battle addiction in the middle of a manic love affair.

(Year: 2014; Director: Ben Safdie, Joshua Safdie; Writer: Ronald Bronstein, Joshua Safdie; Stars: Caleb Landry Jones, Necro, Eleonore Hendricks, Yuri Pleskun, Arielle Holmes)

Hill Of Freedom

Review preview for Hill Of Freedom

Despite the hill of the title, Sang-soo's latest falls flat.

Amber Wilkinson · 2 out of 5
A man travels to Seoul in a bid to win back a woman he still cares for.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2014; Director: Hong Sang-soo; Writer: Hong Sang-soo; Stars: Ryô Kase, Moon So-ri, Seo Young-hwa, Kim Eui-sung, Yoon Yeo-jeong, Gi Ju-bong, Lee Min-woo, Jeong Eun-Chae)

Full review

US premiere.

Horse Money (Cavalo Dinheiro)

While the young captains lead the revolution in the streets, the people of Fontainhas search for Ventura, lost in the woods.

(Country: Portugal; Year: 2014; Director: Pedro Costa)

US premiere.

Inherent Vice

Review preview for Inherent Vice

This is the tail end of the good times, Doc and his cohort seem as though they are fading out.

Owen Van Spall · 4 out of 5
A drug-fuelled detective investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Paul Thomas Anderson; Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson, based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon; Stars: Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jena Malone, Reese Witherspoon, Sasha Pieterse, Joaquin Phoenix, Owen Wilson, Eric Roberts, Michael K. Williams, Maya Rudolph, Wilson Bethel, Jillian Bell, Martin Short, Anders Holm, Martin Donovan)

Full review

Centrepiece gala. World premiere.

Jauja (Land Of Plenty)

Review preview for Jauja

Stunningly shot by cinematographer Timo Salminen, who illuminated landscapes as if they were Eckersberg paintings, the film is framed in 4:3 aspect ratio, creating the sense that there's always something just out of sight.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A dad and daughter's odyssey into a desert.

(Country: Argentina, Denmark, US, Mexico, Netherlands, Germany, France; Year: 2014; Director: Lisandro Alonso; Writer: Lisandro Alonso, Fabian Casas; Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Ghita Nørby)

Full review

US premiere.

Life Of Riley (Aimer, boire et chanter)

Review preview for Life Of Riley

If the characters are focused on how and if, for us the question why lingers in the air.

Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
A group of close friends discover that one of them only has a few months to live.

(Country: France; Year: 2014; Director: Alain Resnais; Writer: Alan Ayckbourn, Jean-Marie Besset, Laurent Herbiet, Alain Resnais, Caroline Silhol; Stars: Sandrine Kiberlain, André Dussollier, Sabine Azéma, Hippolyte Girardot, Alba Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi, Michel Vuillermoz, Caroline Sihol, Travis Kerschen)

Full review

Listen Up Philip

Review preview for Listen Up Philip

The moments of distinctly sub-Woody Allenesque humour make you dream of what might have been.

Richard Mowe · 2 out of 5
An angry writer and his relationships.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Alex Ross Perry; Writer: Alex Ross Perry; Stars: Krysten Ritter, Elisabeth Moss, Jason Schwartzman, Jonathan Pryce, Dree Hemingway, Joséphine de La Baume, Kate Lyn Sheil, Jennifer Kim, Daniel London, Joanne Tucker, Lee Wilkof, Rob Yang, Keith Poulson, Francis Benhamou, Miriam Weisbecker)

Full review

Maps To The Stars

Review preview for Maps To The Stars

Moore gives a frank and funny portrayal of female status at a certain age in the Dream Factory.

Richard Mowe · 3 out of 5
Drink, drugs, sex and psychosis mix as a Hollywood dynasty comes into contact with the beautiful daughter of a deceased diva.

(Country: Canada, USA, France, Germany; Year: 2014; Director: David Cronenberg; Writer: Bruce Wagner; Stars: Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, Carrie Fisher, John Cusack, Sarah Gadon, livia Williams) , Trailer

Full review See: Interview with David Cronenberg about Maps To The Stars

US premiere.

Misunderstood (Incompresa)

Drama based loosely on the director's childhood.

(Country: Italy, France; Year: 2014; Director: Asia Argento; Writer: Barbara Alberti, Asia Argento; Stars: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gabriel Garko, Gianmarco Tognazzi, Giulia Salerno, Anna Lou Castoldi, Max Gazzè, Carolina Poccioni, Alice Pea)

North American premiere.

Mr. Turner (Mr Turner)

Review preview for Mr. Turner

What is truly amazing about the film is the way cinematographer Dick Pope evokes Turner’s colour palette.

Richard Mowe · 4 out of 5
A biopic of artist J.M.W Turner

(Country: UK; Year: 2014; Director: Mike Leigh; Writer: Mike Leigh; Stars: Tom Wlaschiha, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville)

Full review See: Interview with Timothy Spall about Mr. Turner

Pasolini

Review preview for Pasolini

Pasolini's unfinished life remains painfully unresolved, as it should be.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4.5 out of 5
A look at the final day of Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini.

(Country: France, Italy, Belgium; Year: 2014; Director: Abel Ferrara; Writer: Abel Ferrara, Maurizio Braucci, Nicola Tranquillino; Stars: Willem Dafoe, Maria de Medeiros, Riccardo Scamarcio, Giada Colagrande, Salvatore Ruocco, Adriana Asti, Valerio Mastandrea, Roberto Zibetti, Tatiana Luter, Guillaume Rumiel Braun, Diego Pagotto)

Full review See: Abel Ferrara and Willem Dafoe in conversation on Pasolini feature

US premiere.

The Princess of France (La Princesa de francia)

Review preview for The Princess of France

It only lasts an economical 70 minutes but seems considerably longer

Richard Mowe · 3 out of 5
A year after his father’s death, Victor returns to Buenos Aires in order to reconquer the life he was forced to abandon. He brings a new project with him for his former theater company: a radio-play of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost.

(Country: Argentina; Year: 2014; Director: Matías Piñeiro; Stars: Julián Larquier Tellarini, Agustina Muñoz, Alessio Rigo de Righi, María Villar, Romina Paula, Laura Paredes, Elisa Carricajo, Gabi Saidón, Pablo Sigal, Julián Tello, Juan Chacón )

Full review

US premiere.

La Sapienza

A couple whose relationship is in crisis strike up a friendship with two teenagers.

(Country: France, Italy; Year: 2014; Director: Eugène Green; Writer: Eugène Green; Stars: Fabrizio Rongione, Christelle Prot, Ludovico Succio, Arianna Nastro, Hervé Compagne, Sabine Ponte, Gilles Tonnelé, Nathalie Chazeau, Irene Fittabile, Michele Franco, Jon Firman, Mario Bois, Clément Cogitore, Maria Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach)

US premiere.

Saint Laurent

Review preview for Saint Laurent

In Gaspard Ulliel, Bonello has found an actor who not only looks the part but eases under Saint Laurent's skin with sensitivity.

Richard Mowe · 3 out of 5
Biopic of Yves Saint Laurent.

(Country: France; Year: 2014; Director: Bertrand Bonello; Writer: Thomas Bidegain, Bertrand Bonello; Stars: Gaspard Ulliel, Jérémie Renier, Helmut Berger, Louis Garrel, Léa Seydoux)

Full review

North American premiere.

Tales Of The Grim Sleeper

The case of the notorious serial killer known as the "Grim Sleeper," who terrorised South Central Los Angeles for 25 years.

(Country: US, UK; Year: 2014; Director: Nick Broomfield)

Timbuktu (Le chagrin des oiseaux)

Review preview for Timbuktu

The way Sissako exposes the double standard makes the Jihadists' behavior no less threatening, on the contrary.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4.5 out of 5
After a herdsman accidentally kills someone, he finds himself a victim of Sharia law fundamentalists.

(Country: France, Mauritania; Year: 2014; Director: Abderrahmane Sissako; Writer: Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall; Stars: Pino Desperado, Abel Jafri, Toulou Kiki, Kettly Noël, Hichem Yacoubi)

Full review

US premiere.

Time Out Of Mind

Review preview for Time Out Of Mind

Gere, despite his image both off and on screen, gives a flawless performance.

Richard Mowe · 3 out of 5
A homeless man tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Oren Moverman; Writer: Jeffrey Caine, Oren Moverman; Stars: Jena Malone, Richard Gere, Danielle Brooks, Abigail Savage, Geraldine Hughes, Yul Vazquez, Brian d'Arcy James, Ben Vereen, Jeremy Strong, Tonye Patano, Colman Domingo, Dominic Colon, Lisa Datz, Victor Pagan, Faye Yvette McQueen)

Full review See: Q&A with Richard Gere , Richard Gere and Oren Moverman in conversation on Time Out of Mind

Two Days, One Night (Deux Jours, Une Nuit)

Review preview for Two Days, One Night

Marion Cotillard tenderly lets us in on every nuance of dread, every vital decision.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 5 out of 5
Sandra, a young woman assisted by her husband, has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.

(Country: Belgium; Year: 2014; Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne; Writer: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne; Stars: Marion Cotillard, Olivier Gourmet, Catherine Salée, Fabrizio Rongione, Christelle Cornil)

Full review See: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne in conversation on Two Days, One Night

Two Shots Fired (Dos Disparos, Two Gunshots)

After a teenager shoots himself and survives, those around him must live with the consequences.

(Country: Argentina; Year: 2014; Director: Martín Rejtman; Writer: Martín Rejtman)

US premiere.

The Wonders (Le meraviglie)

Review preview for The Wonders

Wisdom is quiet and the future a mystery

Angus Wolfe Murray · 4.5 out of 5
Nothing will be the same at the end of this summer for Gelsomina and her three younger sisters.

(Country: Italy, Switzerland, Germany; Year: 2014; Director: Alice Rohrwacher; Writer: Alice Rohrwacher; Stars: Maria Alexandra Lungu, Sam Louwyck, Alba Rohrwacher, Sabine Timoteo, Agnese Graziani, Monica Bellucci, )

Full review

North American premiere.

Whiplash

Review preview for Whiplash

The film takes on a masterful intesity as mental health as well as music begins to be at stake.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Damien Chazelle; Writer: Damien Chazelle; Stars: Miles Teller, Melissa Benoist, JK Simmons, Austin Stowell, Kavita Patil, Michael D Cohen, Tian Wang, Kofi Siriboe, Tarik Lowe, Marcus Henderson, CJ Vana, Calvin C Winbush, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Adrian Burks, Charlie Ian)

Full review