The Film Society of Lincoln Center announces the Special Events section, Main Slate shorts, and an added Retrospective title for the 55th New York Film Festival (September 28 - October 15). Special Events will feature the world premieres of three major documentaries: Susan Lacy's Spielberg, which chronicles the cinema titan's remarkable career and screens with the director and subject in person; Jennifer Lebeau's Trouble No More, a concert film that punctuates rare, recently rediscovered footage from Bob Dylan's '79-'80 tour with a beautiful performance by Michael Shannon; and Susan Froemke's The Opera House, a history of the Metropolitan Opera and a love letter to the art form that will have a special screening in the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Claude Lanzmann returns to NYFF with the World Premiere of his four-film series Four Sisters, created from interviews conducted in the 1970s with four Eastern European women who impossibly survived the Holocaust.
Additional highlights include a new restoration of G.W. Pabst's silent magnum opus Pandora's Box, screening with the world premiere of a new orchestral score by Jonathan Ragonese performed live; Rory Kennedy's Without a Net, an examination of the many technologically underserved schools across the country; and two talks with luminaries from this year's festival-a far-ranging conversation with Kate Winslet about her career and her unforgettable performance in this year's Closing Night selection, Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel, and a Master Class with Vittorio Storaro and Ed Lachman, the brilliant cinematographers behind the Closing and Centerpiece films.
The fifth annual Film Comment Presents selection is the U.S. premiere of 2017 Cannes competition selection A Gentle Creature, an incisive, tragicomic vision of today's Russia directed by Sergei Loznitsa and inspired by a Dostoevsky short story. In previous years, Film Comment has championed films such as Terence Davies's A Quiet Passion, Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, and László Nemes's Son of Saul. The magazine will also host three live events: a roundtable discussion with festival filmmakers about their experiences as movie lovers and creators, a dialogue on the representation of race and immigration in cinema history, and a critical wrap report of the festival's highs and lows. All three will also be recorded for the weekly Film Comment Podcast.
The festival also showcases 24 short films across four programs as part of the NYFF Main Slate. Highlights include Qiu Yang's A Gentle Night, winner of the Short Film Palme d'Or at Cannes this year; new work by returning filmmakers Jason Giampietro, John Wilson, Riccardo Giacconi, and Pacho Velez; and world premieres of Ashley Connor & Joe Stankus's The Layover, Adinah Dancyger's Cheer Up Baby, Gabriel de Urioste's Program, Damien Power's Hitchhiker, and Wilson's The Road to Magnasanti.
Finally, the New York Film Festival is pleased to announce a late addition to the Retrospective honoring Robert Mitchum's centenary: Bruce Weber's Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast, a work-in-progress portrait of Mitchum the man, a flawed soul and true artist, which Weber began shooting more than twenty years ago.
The 18-day New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring works from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. The selection committee, chaired by Kent Jones, also includes Dennis Lim, FSLC Director of Programming; Florence Almozini, FSLC Associate Director of Programming; and Amy Taubin, contributing editor for Film Comment and Artforum. Shorts are programmed by Laura Kern, Gabi Madsen, Dan Sullivan, and Tyler Wilson.
As previously announced, the NYFF55 Opening Night is Richard Linklater's Last Flag Flying, Todd Haynes's Wonderstruck is Centerpiece, Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel is Closing Night, and the Retrospective honors Robert Mitchum's centenary. The Main Slate lineup can be found here, along with Projections, Revivals, and Convergence, and the festival schedule can be viewed here.
Tickets for the 55th New York Film Festival will go on sale September 10 at noon. Becoming a Film Society Member at the Film Buff Level or above provides early ticket access to festival screenings and events ahead of the general public, along with the exclusive member ticket discount and brand new member benefits and offers available throughout NYFF. Learn more at filmlinc.org/membership.
For even more access, VIP passes offer the earliest opportunity to purchase tickets and secure seats at some of the festival's biggest events including Opening and Closing Nights, and Centerpiece. VIP passes also provide access to many exciting events, including the invitation-only Opening Night party, Filmmaker Brunch, and VIP Lounge. Benefits vary based on the pass purchased. VIP passes are on sale now. Learn more at
filmlinc.org/packages.
