An interesting and broad range of films in the For the High Seas category at RIFF.
This category consists of brand new, hand-picked films from outstanding, talented directors who are highly respected in the film industry. Half of the films in this category were either nominated or won an award at this summer's Cannes Film Festival.
Among the films coming straight from Cannes is Cow after the Oscar winner Andrea Arnold where the daily life of the cow Lumu is followed over a period of several years. Another film that did well at Cannes this summer is Drive My Car after Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, the picture is adaptation of the short story "Men Without Women" by Haruki Murakami and she took home three awards at Cannes this summer out of four nominations.
The fourth film to be nominated at Cannes and take home an award is Great freedom which is about Hans, who is gay and falls in love with a murderer. Another film in the Open Sea that was nominated for the Palme d'Or was Petrov's flu which tells the story of a day in the life of comic book artist Petrov and his family in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The last movie screening or Last Film Show is about a boy who became so fascinated by movies that he gave his lunch to the director every day to get into the cinema. The film is based on true events and the film's director Pan Nalin will be present at the screening.
Brighton fourth about a former mixed martial artist who travels to Brooklyn to save his son from gambling debt won three awards at Tribeca this summer. Moon 66 questions is about a young woman who meets her father again on his sickbed. Last but not least, it is the film I am your man. by Maria Schrader, who won the Silver Bear in Berlin for best actress. The film is about a woman who lives for three weeks with a robot designed to have all the characteristics of a human.
More about the pictures below and for those who want to secure a pass or scrapbook for the festival that starts at the end of the month, you can do so here here.
The last movie screening
Samay is a 9-year-old boy who lives with his family in a remote village in India. When he first discovers movies, he is completely captivated. Against his father's wishes, he sneaks into the cinema every day to watch movies. He befriends the director and pays for the screenings with his lunch. He soon discovers that stories become light, light is captured on film, and film makes dreams come true.
Brighton fourth
A former mixed martial artist travels from Tbilisi to Brooklyn to save his son from gambling debts. He challenges the creditor to the ring on the condition that if he wins, the boy will be free from all charges. The film won three awards at this summer's Tribeca Film Festival for best actor in a leading role, best picture and best international screenplay.
Drive my car
Adaptation of the short story "Men Without Women" by Haruki Murakami. A director, who recently lost his wife, is invited to direct a play at a festival in Hiroshima. His driver is a stoic woman and they form a trusting relationship. The film received four nominations at Cannes, including three awards, including one for best screenplay.
Great Freedom / Große Freiheit / Great Freedom (LGBTQ+)
In post-war Germany, Hans is repeatedly imprisoned for his sexuality. He is introduced to his cellmate, a convicted murderer, but over time they fall in love. Four nominations and three awards. Including the Un Certain Regard Jury Price at Cannes.
Moon, 66 questions / Selene 66 Questions / Moon, 66 questions /
A young woman living in Paris must return to Athens to care for her estranged father. Over an emotional summer, she uncovers his secrets and their relationship heals as a result. Five nominations and one award.
Petrov's Flu / Петровы в гриппе / Petrov's Flu
A day in the life of comic book artist Petrov and his family in post-Soviet Russia. The beleaguered Petrov is carried by his friend Igor over a long walk and wanders between worlds in his mind.
I'm Your Man / Ich bin dein Mensch / I'm Your Man
A scientist agrees to take part in an unusual experiment. For three weeks, she must live with an artificially intelligent robot, which has all the characteristics of a human and is designed to become her perfect life partner.
Cow
Award-winning British director Andrea Arnold's first documentary is highly political and takes a close-up look at the everyday lives of two cows. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and follows the cow Lumu, from Lumu's perspective, and her daily life over several years. Humans are rarely involved except when considering the cow in her daily life.