Festival Du Nouveau Cinema Showcases 2018's Most Anticipated Films

This years Festival Du Nouveau Cinema (FNC) is back from Wednesday October 3rd to Sunday October 14th. The 47th edition of the festival has made it a point to include categories with feature films (international and domestic), installations, a masterclass featuring Paul Schrader, short films, television series, and virtual reality. What makes the festival so attractive is that it hosts some of my anticipated films of the year, some that might not agree with everyone due to their controversial nature. However, I am happy that this festival gives them a platform to be showcased. 

 

 

The first film that I have on my list is from director Gaspar Noé. Climax can be described as a crazy dance party that is infused with drugs and alcohol. That is all I can say in this clean edit to the film summery, to which some Cannes audience members are still recovering from. This film has gotten more of my attention due to the discussions it has had on my movie critics groups, with some members calling it the movie of the year for them. The FNC showcased my favourite film of last year, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, so maybe Climax will make this years list. 

 

 

If you have not seen First Reformed from director Paul Schrader, then do take the opportunity to catch a showing of it during this year FNC festival (they are also having a masterclass with the director!). This slow paced drama tension builder has Ethan Hawk playing a pastor who gets involved in the life of a solider who has returned home and gets involved with radical eco-terrorism. Shown only from the point of view of his diary entries, we see how the pastor must come to grips with the moral complexions that plague him. Hawk delivers a superb performance in this tension builder of a drama. 

 

 

Director Lars Von Trier has his latest film The House that Jack Built screened at the FNC Festival this year. This film left audiences members at this years Cannes Festival, either exiting the movie theatre or giving a standing ovation. The film fallows a serial killer Jack (Matt Dillon) over the course of 12 years of his murders and how he develops as a serial killer. Not the light hearted fare from Von Trier, but it is sure to make a leave an impression when it is screened. 

 

 

Coinciding that same night of The House That Jack Built, is If Beale Street Could Talk from director Barry Jenkins. This comes as a huge dilemma for me of which film I want to see more, being a fan of both directors. Coming off of his success with Moonlight, Jenkins finds himself adapting a short story from James Baldwin with If Beale Street Could Talk. From the trailer it seems like a very poignant story on racial identity and love, both thematic elements Jekins is familiar with from his previous film. 

 

 

The final film is an adaptation of a Western with the same title, The Sisters Brothers, from director Jacques Audiard. The film follows two brothers (Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly) who couldn't be more polar opposites of each other.  They will do anything for for a buck, as they stalk a gold prospector (Riz Ahmed). With this stellar cast and possibly a few good show downs, I can’t wait to catch this film.