Benny Safdie is one of the most prolific and daring directors working in the United States today. He is especially known for the films he co-directed with his brother, where Safdie both directed and acted alongside Hollywood heavyweights such as Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems, 2019) and Robert Pattinson (Good Time, (Uncut Gems, 2019) and Robert Pattinson (Good Time, 2017). Safdie is now working independently and is taking the world by storm with his latest film The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne Johnson in the lead role. The film will be screened at RIFF with a special live-streamed introduction from Benny Safdie himself.
In The Smashing Machine tells the story of legendary UFC fighter Mark Kerr, whose brutal strength in the ring hid a far more complicated battle outside it. A portrait of dominance, vulnerability, and the fight to confront what lies beyond glory.
The screening will start after a short intro from Benny Safdie at 19:15.