This Friday sees the opening of Munich’s annual international film festival, the FilmFest München, which will run for just over a week, until July 5. Over the course of the week, 158 films from 51 countries will be screened – and 38 of those are world premieres. I’ve had a look at the program and come up with my tips for your week of film.
In the category for upcoming directors, Max Currie’s first feature film deals with grieving parents in Auckland, New Zealand, who try to start a new life together. The trailer is dark and frighteningly real, portraying a man who sinks into insanity when he is not able to deal with the death of his young son. (In English).
Based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name, Cold in July focuses on Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) who kills an unarmed intruder one night in his Texas household. Soon, his life becomes much more complicated than he could ever imagine. The thriller is showing three times over the course of the festival, for cinemas and dates, click here. (In English)
Wim Wenders’ documentary focuses on Sebastião Salgado, a photographer who has traversed the world capturing international conflicts, starvation and exoduses. Now, he has turned his hand to capturing our landscapes – the wild flora and fauna. The film was lauded (and won) at Cannes this year. (In English, French and Portuguese, with English subtitles).
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet
The 3D film starring Helena Bonham Carter is the FilmFest München’s opener. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (most famous for Amelie), the film is about a ten-year-old boy (a cartographer, nonetheless), who travels from Montana across the country to Washington D.C. to receive an award for his inventions. The trailer is adorable, and I cannot wait to see it. The director himself will be at the Rio 1 for a Q&A session following the screening on Saturday, June 28 (7pm). (In English with German subtitles).
The 2013 Egyptian film, directed by Ahmad Abdalla, will enjoy its German premiere at the FilmFest München. The film is a complex, humane look at the Tahrir Square protests in 2011. Amidst the confusion, dozens of prisoners are set free. The film focuses on one man, who witnesses the uprisings as an outsider – unsure as to whether he will be put back into prison any time soon. (In Arabian, with English subtitles).
Based on James Franco’s short story collection, Palo Alto is a coming-of-age tale of drugs, rebellion, sex and growing up in a city. It’s an impressive debut from director Gia Coppola (the granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola, and she’s just 27 years old) and features Franco, Emma Roberts and newcomer Jack Kilmer. (In English).
For the full program, click here. Tickets are available to buy online, though if a director is present at the screening, you should buy your tickets well in advance.
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