The films in the For the Open Sea category are masterpieces that have attracted attention, been nominated and won awards at the largest film festivals in Europe, many of which are also screened at the major fall festivals in Venice and Toronto.
This year, this category has probably never been more exciting, with comedies mixed with drama. One masterpiece after another, brand new films and directors including Thomas Vinterberg, Magnus Von Horn, Amanda Kernell and Chloe Zhao.
This year's category includes films that touch on all aspects of human life, including a film that tells the story of a couple weary of life's attempts to increase their happiness through moderate, daily drinking, a mother's custody battle for her children, a tearful search for love, and the dark side of social media.
Sweat (Cannes)
Director: Magnus von Horn
The latest film from the workshop of Swedish director Magnus von Horn. His film The Here After competed in the RIFF's Visionary category in 2015 and has been shown at numerous film festivals and sold to countless countries. The film provides an insight into the life of influencer Sylwia Zajac, who has gained great fame and fame on social media, but is actually alone in the world.
Another Round (Cannes)
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
The latest film by renowned director Thomas Vinterberg, which premiered at Cannes and premiered in Toronto this week, stars Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role. A few tired teachers decide to test the theory that being a little bit involved in life improves life and increases creativity. The experiment starts well, but soon goes awry.
Nomadland (Venice Film Festival)
Director: Chloe Zhao
A film starring the great actress Frances McDormand directed by Chloé Zhao. The film premiered simultaneously at the Venice and Toronto film festivals. Zhao is the director of the upcoming Marvel film Eternals, which is scheduled for release in 2021 by Walt Disney Studios. The film tells the story of a woman in her seventies who has lost everything in the financial crisis and embarks on a journey through the American West, where she ekes out a living in a van as a modern-day nomad.
Resort/Charter (Sundance)
Director: Amanda Kernell
Critics have called this film one of the best films of the year, and it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Amanda Kernell's powerful film about a mother's love that knows no bounds and follows no laws. Sverrir Guðnason plays one of the main roles, and Amanda's first feature film won the Europa Cinemas Label award for best European film in 2016. Amanda Kernell's film Sami Blod was shown at RIFF last year.
Here we are
Director: Nir Bergman
A film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and directed by Nir Bergman. It tells the story of Aharon, who has dedicated his life to raising his autistic son Uri. Their life is in a comfortable routine, but the time has come for Uri to move out of home and start living his own life. Now the question is, who is really finding it harder, the father or the son?
Cat in the Wall
Directors: Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova
Cat in the Wall premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and is directed by Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva. Mini and Vensela have caused quite a stir in their home country of Bulgaria with documentaries that have come under fire from high-ranking officials there. After all, they deal with the power struggle and shady pasts of prominent politicians. One Bulgarian MP went so far as to call them the devilish duo. The plot of this film is much more low-key than this one, which tells the story of a Bulgarian family in South East London who get into a big fight with their neighbors over a stray cat they take in. A fictional farce with a serious undertone.
At the helm/A L'abordage
Director: Guillaume Brac
A comedy from the workshop of director Guillaume Brac. The film had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this winter, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize from the International Federation of Film Critics. This is about Félix who decides to chase his soulmate across France, but as a result, a tragic sequence of events begins where many things go wrong. A hilarious film about relationships and the love of young people.
Miss Marx
Director: Susanna Nicchiarelli
A film directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli, one of the films competing for the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion, tells the story of the free-spirited and passionate Eleanor Marx, the youngest daughter of Karl Marx, who was among the leading women who first brought feminism and socialism together and fought for increased rights for women and workers.
Films at RIFF will be screened at Bíó Paradís, the Nordic House and online at www.riff.is. The festival will be held on September 24th and ticket sales will begin next week.