Everyone’s favorite mini film festival returns, packed with incredible new movies. IFFBoston Fall Focus 2023 takes place from this Thursday the 19th to Monday the 23rd at the Brattle Theatre, with a couple of bonuses before and after! As someone who’s been lucky to see some of these films at Sundance and TIFF, I wanted to give a quick overview of the festival selections to help you pick your lineup. And to get ahead of it: I’m sorry, but The Boy and the Heron is already sold out. Fortunately it will be playing IMAX screens starting December 8th!
Anatomy of a Fall (Pre-Focus Bonus) Wednesday 10/18 7:00 PM Coolidge
One of the most buzzed about films this year is finally coming to our theaters. Sandra Hüller plays a woman arrested for the murder of her husband with only her young blind son as witness. A courtroom drama in the wacky world of the French must be seen to be believed.
Eileen – Thursday 10/19 7:30 PM Brattle
Highly recommended, do not look anything up – just know it captures the feeling of winter in central Mass better than any film that has come before
Fallen Leaves – Friday 10/20 6:30 PM Brattle
Have not seen but have heard great things from those who saw at Cannes and TIFF!
Fingernails – Friday 10/20 8:30 PM Brattle
Less than enthusiastic response from TIFF but could be worth seeing for these three actors on the rise (Jesse Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White)
Robot Dreams – Saturday 10/21 12:30 PM Brattle
A dialogue-free animated feature about a dog and his robot navigating life in the big city.
Evil Does Not Exist – Saturday 10/21 2:45 PM Brattle
The latest film from Drive My Car director Ryuske Hamaguchi, Evil is an ecological fable in many ways, focusing on a village threatened by urban development and the developers threatening to disrupt this way of life. Quiet, strange, and almost alienating, Evil doesn’t present any easy answers except, perhaps, where to install your septic tank.
Monster – Saturday 10/21 6:00 PM Brattle
One of the best films I saw at TIFF, Monster is a gripping story of a mother trying to get some justice for her son at school, facing bureaucracy and seeming apathy all the while. Different perspectives on the same events leave the audience questioning what they’ve seen, and what will come next. Kore-eda is a master of emotion and knows exactly how to upend expectations and create something powerful.
Dream Scenario – Saturday 10/21 9:00 PM Brattle
This film imagines a world where Nic Cage starts popping up in everyone’s dreams, as if that’s not something that happens regularly to all of us. Having reviewed director Kristoffer Borgli’s previous film Sick of Myself, I’m looking forward to see what he does with our recently-revitalized Cage.
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt – Sunday 10/22 12:30 PM Brattle
A Sundance favorite that has only been gaining acclaim all year. Raven Jackson’s debut shows us the life of a Black woman in Mississippi as she experiences everything the world has to offer.
Tótem – Sunday 10/22 2:30 PM Brattle
This one is brand new to me and sounds like a singular experience. I’m interested to see how this director creates a world within a single house and those who occupy it.
Perfect Days – Sunday 10/22 5:00 PM Brattle
Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas) decided to stun Cannes audiences with the story of Tokyo’s public toilets and the man that cleans them. Kôji Yakusho took home the Best Actor prize at Cannes and I’ve been waiting to watch the film since!
The Taste of Things – Sunday 10/22 7:30 PM Brattle
All I know about this film is that it features Juliette Binoche as a gourmet chef, and frankly that’s all I need. Director Trân Anh Hùng’s latest is France’s pick for Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards, so expect to see more of La Binoche as we head into Oscar season.
The Boy and the Heron – Monday 10/23 7:30 PM Brattle
The first film from Hayao Miyazaki in a decade is a remarkable work, almost impossible to actually pin down. Those expecting Totoro may be disappointed, but the same could be said for those expecting Princess Mononoke. The film is harsh and ugly at times, but still finds room for colorful birds and the stunning landscapes you’d expect from Miyazaki. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of this film, and I can’t wait to watch it again.
The Holdovers (Post-Focus Bonus) – Monday 10/30 7:00 PM Somerville
Alexander Payne will attend this screening of his latest film, which was partially filmed in Somerville! Paul Giamatti is a grumpy professor hellbent on making his students as miserable as he is during winter break of 1971. While Giamatti is sure to receive his first Oscar nomination since Cinderella Man, I’m most excited to see Da’Vine Joy Randolph in a dramatic role. She is an actor I’ve always enjoyed when she pops up, and it’s about time she got a role that truly serves her talent. First come first serve at the Somerville!
IFFBoston’s Fall Focus series runs 10/19-10/23 @ Brattle Theatre (plus bonus bookend features @ Coolidge Corner Theatre). For full schedule and ticket info, click here.
