As a seasoned film enthusiast who has traversed the globe to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of cinematic storytelling, I can confidently say that the Palm Springs International Film Festival has once again outdone itself with its 36th edition! The lineup is nothing short of a treasure trove for cinephiles like me.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is locked and loaded.
The 36th yearly event, taking place from January 2nd to the 13th, will kick off with Michael Gracey’s biopic about Robbie Williams, titled “Better Man,” produced by Paramount Pictures. This innovative film features Williams as a CGI monkey and follows the journey of the British pop megastar who first gained fame as the youngest member of Take That, eventually becoming a top-charting solo artist. The movie will have a restricted release on Christmas Day (December 25th) before expanding nationwide on January 10th, following its premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Wrapping up our discussion, we’ll be viewing “The Penguin Lessons” directed by Peter Cattaneo, featuring Steve Coogan as a disenchanted English teacher in rigid Argentina. His monotonous life, along with his pampered students, takes an unexpected turn when he saves and raises a charming penguin. The movie is based on the novel of the same name. Notably, Cattaneo, who will be present for the screening, has previously directed films such as “The Full Monty,” “The Rocker,” and “Opal Dream.
During the gap between those two movies, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) plans to exhibit 158 films hailing from 71 different nations. This collection includes 68 premieres, with a focus on international cinema, as well as showcasing the works of acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. The festival’s “Dinner and a Movie series” is making a comeback, and Talking Pictures screenings will be held featuring esteemed Film Awards laureates such as Colman Domingo, along with the team behind Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, including director Jacques Audiard, actors Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez.
At the PSIFF event, they’ll be screening “The Room Next Door” by Almodóvar, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. This is his debut film in English and it features Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Other Almodóvar films to be shown include “All About My Mother” from 1999, “Matador” from 1986, and “Talk to Her” from 2002.
Every year, PSIFF impresses on the global film stage, and this time is no exception. The lineup includes 35 official submissions from top contenders in the International Feature Film category for the upcoming Oscars. A distinguished panel of international film critics will evaluate the films and award the Fipresci Prize for the International Film of the Year, along with honors for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. On January 6th, The Hollywood Reporter will also host a discussion among some of the directors who made the shortlist.
Lili Rodriguez, our Artistic Director, shared that this year’s lineup is extraordinary, reflecting the unique style of PSIFF. It covers a wide range of genres and international borders, offering an enticing blend of films to the Coachella Valley. Over the past year, our dedicated team at the Palm Springs International Film Festival has meticulously put together a program that highlights the beauty of storytelling. This selection includes films suitable for families, as well as thought-provoking and timely pieces. The goal is to cultivate a vibrant community of film enthusiasts who come to Palm Springs annually to immerse themselves in inspiring tales and establish meaningful relationships.
The lineup also features a Modern Master category with new works by classic auteurs. Those include Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Klaus Härö’s Never Alone, Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope, Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, Hong Sangsoo’s A Traveler’s Needs, and François Ozon’s When Fall Is Coming. Other categories include American Indies, True Stories highlighting nonfiction films, Spanish Focus, Queer Cinema Today and The Gayla, Family Day and World Cinema Now, among others.
The complete line-up is now available online.
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2024-11-26 20:26