Another slate of amazing films at the “Writers Festival”
Running over eight days with numerous features and shorts of both narrative and documentary filmmaking, the Austin Film Festival fires back up tomorrow. There’s also a conference, focusing on the craft of writing, but even without that, the film festival itself is worth a look. Below are just a few of the movies that will be shown over the course of the next week.
WAVES
Trey Edward Shults is no stranger to Austin. He screened both “Krisha” the short and Krisha the feature at SXSW, and the Houston native is back with Waves. This family drama set in South Florida promises to continue showcasing the young filmmaker’s growing prowess.
A HIDDEN LIFE
When a Terrence Malick movie makes it into town, it’s going to be at the top of most lists, and A Hidden Life is no exception. Based on a true story of a conscientious objector in Nazi Germany, this film might bring Malick back from his more free-flowing, philosophical recent work while still showing off his eye for beauty and atmosphere.
I’VE GOT ISSUES
This one’s got Austin written all over it. Starring local good guy Macon Blair, along with John Merriman, I’ve Got Issues is director Steve Collins’s third narrative feature and the first in several years. This comedy is described in terms of “existential despair,” so it’s sure to be a good time.
JUST MERCY
The closing night feature this year is Just Mercy, the story of activist Bryan Stevenson stars Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan. (Oh, and Jamie Foxx.) Based on the story of a death row prisoner Stevenson fought to free, this one might presage awards season in a big way.
DC NOIR
If you don’t know George Pelecanos, you probably do, or at least should. The man behind The Wire, Treme, and The Deuce, Pelecanos is also a prolific writer, and DC NOIR turns a book of his stories into a film anthology. Set in his hometown of the District of Columbia, this one’s sure to be dark.
