The New Zealand International Film Festival takes place nationwide during July and August, screening more than 140 international films and documentaries. Here are some of the films announced in the World Strand section.
NZIFF annually hand picks an international selection of films to feature in the World Strand, the largest section in the catalogue. Close attention is paid to films lavished with praise or box office success in their countries of origin, as well as films that have struck programmers as highlights from a year’s worth of intense viewing that ended only three weeks ago in Cannes.
The full NZIFF programme is available now – see nziff.co.nz for all the dates and details.
Some of the films in the World Strand section are:
Everybody wants some
Richard Linklater follows Boyhood by recalling his own first days at college in this hilarious, deeply relaxed comedy about male bonding, set in the bars, discos, parties and frat houses of 1980 Austin.
“It’s an effortless cult classic, delivered by a master of the form.” — David Sims, The Atlantic
Captain Fantastic
Renaissance man Viggo Mortensen steals the show as a solo father whose idealistic way of raising his six children off the grid comes under attack in this energetic, comedic drama.
“Viggo Mortensen… in a role that feels designed by the movie gods.” — Dan Mecca, The Film Stage
Truman
Argentine Ricardo Darín and Spaniard Javier Cámara are beautifully paired in the most garlanded Spanish film of the year, a warm and humorous drama of male friendship shaded with imminent mortality.
“Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara take Cesc Gay and Tomàs Aragay’s superb screenplay and offer an acting masterclass in Truman, a low key, character driven buddy movie laced with black humour and emotion.” — Clive Botting, Huffington Post UK
Perfect Strangers
A gathering of old friends accepts the challenge to share all incoming calls and messages. It’s a game you won’t want to emulate at your next dinner party, but dammit, you’ll be thinking about it.
“Remakes will be rampant of this discomforting dramedy where friends play a game reading aloud incoming cell phone messages at a dinner party.” — Jay Weissberg, Variety
Suburra
This bloody, brutal crime saga boasts the epic sprawl of the mob classics it emulates, but with a lurid energy all of its own. With a throbbing score from electronic heavyweights M83.
“Suburra drops the viewer directly into a miasma of corruption… [and] will command your attention all the way to its bloody and operatic finale.” — Michael Jaconelli, The Skinny
As I ope
Tradition butts up against progress in Leyla Bouzid’s debut, a musically charged French-Tunisian film that follows a young woman in a band as she navigates familial and cultural strictures on the eve of the Jasmine Revolution.
“A great film. A film with heart and passion, one that can color one’s dreams and inspire one’s days.” — E. Nina Rothe, Huffington Post
Personal Shopper
Kristen Stewart reunites with Clouds of Sils Maria director Oliver Assayas to play a young American in Paris, buying haute couture for her celebrity boss, and seeking contact with the spirit of her dead twin brother.
“Personal Shopper is affecting, singular and a great showcase for Kristen Stewart.” — Josh Cabrita, We’ve Got This Covered
Tickets are on sale from Friday 24 June from Ticketmaster for Auckland. Wellington programme will be available from Friday 24 June and tickets on sale from Thursday 30 June via nziff.co.nz. NZIFF 2016 dates are:
Auckland 14 – 31 July
Wellington 22 July – 7 August
Christchurch 28 July – 14 August
Dunedin 4 – 21 August
