The always stacked Sydney Film Festival returns this Wednesday night (June 5), featuring world premieres, award winners and sold out screenings over the next two weeks. With over 300 movies listed in the 2019 program, from over 50 different countries, we’ve narrowed down the selection to our must see films from the extensive catalogue.
The Dead Don’t Die
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Acclaimed US indie director Jim Jarmusch’s new zombie flick is the most star studded line up on the program. Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Adam Driver, Chloe Sevigny, Selena Gomez, Steve Buscemi, RZA…and more. The trailer gives the movie an offbeat-comedy approach to the horror genre, similar to films like Zombieland and the Evil Dead. Regardless it’s going to be a tonne of bloody and gory fun.
Parasite
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South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho (Okja, Snowpiercer) returns to the Sydney Film Festival with Parasite. His satirical family melodrama took out the top prize, the Palme D’Or, at Cannes last week. Critics have universally praised the movie and its unprecedented 70% opening weekend share of the South Korean box office last week made headlines. One of the hottest tickets in the program, will be sure to sell out.
Pain and Glory
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Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz star in this autobiographical tale from prominent Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar. The film centres on an aging director, stuck in a creative rut, struggling with originality and love. Banderas took out the best actor award at Cannes for his portrayal of the director.
The Nightingale
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Home grown Aussie Director, Jennifer Kent, returns with the follow-up to her modern horror classic The Babadook, with her second feature film. The Nightingale is a revenge drama, set in Tasmania in the early 1800’s, following an Irish woman and an Aboriginal tracker hunting a sexually violent English officer. Much of the film takes place in the hellish wilderness of uncharted Tasmania so be prepared.
High Life
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If sci-fi/horror films are more your scene, this new indie from French director Claire Denis will be right up your alley. A passion project, with 15 years spent on development, this genre-twisting arthouse thriller stars Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche and Andre ‘3000’ Benjamin. Produced by always reliable A24 films, High Life is sure to be experimental, maybe a little divisive, but visually stunning throughout.
More not to miss:
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese
A revealing documentary from superstar director, Martin Scorsese, surrounding Dylan’s infamous Rolling Thunder Tour of ‘75. Starring Patti Smith, Joni Mitchell and Dylan himself.
Booksmart
A coming of age dramedy about two girls high school graduation. The directorial debut for actress Olivia Wilde. Premiered at SXSW and receiving rave reviews globally, think Superbad meets Lady Bird.
The Golem
A restoration of an early classic of 1920’s German Expressionist Horror. Featuring a live experimental electronic soundtrack. Eerie, hypnotic and influential.
Eraserhead
David Lynch’s first feature film from 1977, a midnight movie turned cult classic. A black and white, nightmarish fever dream. An early masterpiece of experimental cinema.
Children of the Sea
A gorgeous animated adaptation of a Japanese manga of the same name. Following a supernaturally gifted girl on her magical adventure through the sea.
Buddy up with your fellow film fiend and grab your tickets here.
Featured image via Instagram @thedeaddontdie.
