Last year’s New York Film Festival turned out to be an awards-season bonanza. The opening night world premiere was “The Favourite,” which went on to earn 10 Oscar nominations, winning for Best Actress (Olivia Colman). Plus, we got an early look at Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” and “At Eternity’s Gate,” starring Willem Dafoe. This year’s Upper West Side fest promises more thrilling and adventurous flicks than ever. Here are a few we’re looking forward to.
“The Irishman” (Sept. 27, 28)
Martin Scorsese’s latest will be the first time the director has opened NYFF, and his film brings together Robert De Niro, Al Pacino (his first Scorsese collaboration) and Joe Pesci to tell the story of mob hitman Frank Sheeran, and the disappearance and murder of Jimmy Hoffa. The big-budget crime drama was still in production during the Toronto and Cannes film festivals, meaning New York gets the first look at the hotly anticipated title. To drive home his epic vision, Scorsese uses movie magic to de-age his legendary actors by 30 years. If the film is good, you’ll be hearing about it for months. Scorsese will also be giving a separately ticketed talk Sept. 28.
“Marriage Story” (Oct. 4)
While critics can be a bit too gushy at the Venice Film Festival — the risotto! the canals! — early buzz for Noah Baumbach’s film has been bellissimo, especially for its leading man Adam Driver. The actor, who gets better and better, plays a film director who endures a turbulent divorce with an actress (Scarlett Johansson). It’s said to be based on Baumbach’s own divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
“Motherless Brooklyn” (Oct. 11)
“Motherless Brooklyn” was filmed in Brooklyn-less Harlem, but the city is nonetheless a big character in director and star Edward Norton’s drama. Based on Jonathan Lethem’s novel about a man with Tourette’s syndrome (Norton) trying to solve the murder of his boss. It’s one of the starriest movies of the festival, also featuring Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones.
“Parasite” (Oct. 5, 7)
From the Korean director of “Okja” and “Snowpiercer,” Bong Joon-ho, “Parasite” has been rapturously received on its festival tour — winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Simply stated, it’s about a wealthy family that collides with a low-class clan, but its many narrative twists ain’t so simple. It’s South Korea’s entry for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. Bong will chat with audiences Oct. 8.
“The Cotton Club Encore” (Oct. 5)
Francis Ford Coppola loves nothing more than a recut (See: “Apocalypse Now”). With “The Cotton Club Encore,” however, he’s done so with nobler intentions than usual. The director says that in 1984, producers told him the 1930s-era film was too long and featured “too many black people.” So, his new version brings back the cut footage he wanted in and bolsters Gregory Hines’ character, while including way more tap dancing and a new ending. The screening includes a talk with Coppola.
NYFF, Sept. 27 to Oct. 13. Tickets for screenings can be purchased online at filmlinc.org/nyff57 or in-person at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall (1941 Broadway).
