This month’s theme is dedicated to the films that feel like summer more than anything else. On the surface, they bear the hallmarks of the summer time — endless sunshine, coastal beaches, seasonal vacations — but underneath they distill the essence of the season and capture the memories made therein. These films can take us back to simpler times when all we had to worry about were the plans for the next day and who it would be with, because even though summer comes around every year, it’ll never be the same as those Hot Summer Nights.
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Right about now we could all use a little pick me up. Staring down at the problems in front of us and looking out into the future ahead, it’s hard to stay optimistic, but if there’s anything we’ve come to know about cinema is that it has the unique ability to transplant us elsewhere. Our May and June theme is focused on films that can change the mood for the better, films that to their core inspire unrelenting joy, happiness, and elation like no other.
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As we close out our SXSW 2020 coverage, the time has come to take stock on what we saw and highlight the best films from this year’s festival. Though the festival was unfortunately canceled and we couldn’t see some of the most anticipated films of the Spring, there were still plenty of great films from talented filmmakers, artists, and visionaries that deserve recognition.
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In the days following SXSW’s cancellation, we sat down with two time Cannes attendee, Annie Silverstein, to talk about her latest film, Bull. In our conversation, we discussed the five year creative process going from short to feature, the influences that inspired her characters, and how the film recontextualizes the Western genre with new faces.
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South by South West was unfortunately canceled this year. It was bummer not only for us, but more so for the filmmakers who were ready to show their work to audiences, launch their careers, and be discovered. Over the next ten days, we too will be proceeding with coverage and writing about as many films as we can. It’s a small gesture, but the least we can do in light of this situation.
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There are hundreds of feature films and shorts out there waiting to be seen at this year's SXSW festival. We passed through the schedule, narrowed down a handful that peaked our interest, and wrote about them for you to keep on your radar. Whether it’s a film from talent we know, or maybe it just has a good premise, these are the prospects that we find most promising.
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For this month’s theme, we’re selecting films that put particular emphasis on concrete jungles, films where the city itself becomes not just a location, but also a character. We may be following the lives of protagonists on screen, but it’s place they inhabit that plays just as much an important role as they do. We hate the traffic, the loud noises, and the lingering pollution, but we’ll be damned if we ever trade the metropolitan madness for suburban life. Because it’s the city, and there’s nothing like it.
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In the days leading up to Seattle’s Noir City at SIFF, we sat down with the Czar of Noir himself, Eddie Muller, to discuss the festival’s history, the contemporary social underpinnings in this year’s lineup, audience’s undying fixation on the genre, and the borderless unification noir has on us all.
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Over the next nine weeks, we’re selecting films that depict younger generation rejecting conformity and igniting rambunctious rebellions at the hands of being misunderstood. Acting on your own accord, disobeying authority, and maybe busting out a hardy cry or two at the alienation felt inside, these films aren’t afraid to reject the authoritative hypocrisy felt by younger generations, because sometimes being seen means being who you are. Acting out never felt so right when you’re a Youth in Revolt.
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The face of films has always been the actors. Through them, we are exposed to a world of different characters, perspectives, and ideas where we can empathize with situations completely unlike our own. They breathe life into the written word, taking an ordinary role and transforming it into something all their own. From masters of the trade and new entrants alike, these actors deliver performances that are truly exceptional. As chosen by our writing team, these are our favorite performances of 2019.
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Every year we watch hundreds of films that contain thousands of scenes within them, and through it all, we come away with a handful of stand out moments. Whether it be a climatic revelation, a subtle moment of directorial brilliance, or a poignant punctuation to conclude a film, these scenes display a creative, technical, and thematic mastery that we simply can’t stop thinking about. As selected by our writing team, these are our favorite scenes of 2019.
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This past year I saw 122 new releases, and admittedly, most weren’t worth my time. However, every year there are thirty or so films that make watching hours upon hours of film worth it. Finding a hidden gem, having your expectations blown away, seeing that long awaited film, experiencing that euphoric feeling only cinema can provide. It’s something special. And 2019 had no shortage of them. These are as good as it gets, so let’s begin.
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The small town of North Bend, Washington is not only home to Twin Peaks, cherry pie, and a damn fine cup of coffee, but it also houses the North Bend Film Festival. Taking the place over one weekend, North Bend programs some of the most interesting genre films you never heard of. We returned for our second year, and during that time, we saw some crazy shit.
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In the midst of the three week long festival that is the Seattle International Film Festival, we took a few moments to talk to one cinema’s most promising new talents Philip Youmans. Along with his producer and school mate Mose Mayer, they sat down to talk about their film Burning Cane, what influences them, and where their careers will take after the success of their first outing.
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Way back in March, we saw the world premiere of The Art of Self-Defense at SXSW. Fast forward two months and the film made another appearance at SIFF, and along with it came writer director Riley Stearns. During the festival, we had the opportunity to speak with the director and discuss where the idea came from, the process of scripting such a tact-sharp comedy, and whether or not he himself knows karate.
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The 2019 Seattle International Film Festival kicks off on May 16th and runs until June 9th and UW Film Club is covering as many films as possible so you know which films to see! Throughout the festival, this article will be regularly updated with capsule reviews for festival films with the newest additions at the top. Check back every couple days to see whats new!
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Over the last week we saw dozens of films at the South by South West Film Festival in Austin, Texas. There were highs and lows, but each one an experience onto itself. Over the next couple days we’ll be updating this article with capsule reviews and links to full reviews of films from the festival.
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In a year with a multitude of great performances on display, the Best Acting Categories are especially contentious. Each of us here at Cinema As We Know It feel differently about who should have been nominated for an Oscar, and as such, we have selected some of the strongest and most memorable characters to celebrate for our best performances of 2018.
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From a wide variety of genres, directors, and studios, there was a film to be had for everyone in 2018. With such an embarrassment of riches to choose from, it was incredibly difficult selecting just ten, but as it stands, these are the best of the best, and to me, these are as good as it gets for 2018, so let’s begin.
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