“American Dharma”
Cast: Errol Morris, Steve Bannon (yes, that Steve Bannon)
Synopsis: Well, the legendary documentarian sits down Donald Trump’s former campaign manager and chief strategist, and the two, er, talk about a myriad of subjects to paint a view of who Bannon really is.
What You Need to Know: What’s sure to be the lightning rod of controversy at Venice this fall, Morris’ one-on-one with a man who fancies being compared to Darth Vader piques a tough debate in the idea of exposure. No one will ever accuse Morris of totally misusing his platform, though “American Dharma” has fringes of Oliver Stone’s oft-criticized, Hugo Chavez-centric documentary “South of the Border.” Perhaps we need this look at Bannon; 2017’s documentary “Get Me Roger Stone” played as a noxious-if-necessary soliloquy for Stone’s trollish power broker in right-wing politics. Could this be Bannon’s version of that? Perhaps this’ll be yet another unfortunate boondoggle for media where the former Trump advisor once again gets a platform for his dangerous views. Either way, it’s sure to get people talking, like all of Morris’ most notable works.
Release Date: Not announced – CW
“The Favourite”
Cast: Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatis, Joe Alwyn
Synopsis: In the early 18th century, England Queen Anne (Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Weisz) governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail (Stone), arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.
What You Need To Know: The film is the latest from “The Lobster” and last year’s riveting “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” director Yorgos Lanthimos. Much like his aforementioned films, “The Favourite” will have a same grotesque appeal setting it apart from other, more prosaic, period pieces this fall. Robbie Ryan, who has worked extensively with filmmaker Andrea Arnold serves the feature as Director of Photography, adding a jarring and voyeuristic view to the festivities of Queen Anne’s court.
Release Date: November 23 – JT
“Sunset”
Cast: Juli Jakab, Vlad Ivanov
Synopsis: A young girl grows up to become a strong and fearless woman in Budapest before World War I.
What You Need to Know: Given the number of times that the Holocaust has been portrayed on film, it’s rather impressive that Hungarian-born director László Nemes found a way to craft a tale that remained so starkly founded in the horrors of the event, but felt distinctly fresh at the same time. Nevertheless, “Son of Saul,” Nemes’ debut feature, accomplished the impossible in a two-fold victory that won him the Grand Prix Prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival and captivated the praise of film critics everywhere. Three years later, the director returns to the festival circuit to debut his most recent feature, “Sunset,” a drama that takes place near the dawn of the 1900’s. However, Names insists that his newest work will not be your standard period piece. “‘Sunset’ is about the collapse of civilization,” the filmmaker told Variety this past May. “Although it takes place in a dazzling era, I do not intend to direct a classical costume drama in which everything is stretched out in front of the viewer.” Although the idea of “Sunset” surpassing “Son of Saul” in any way, shape or form seems doubtful, if anyone can breathe fresh life into a formulaic genre, Nemes is the man for the job.
Release Date: Not announced – JC
“Dragged Across Concrete”
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Mel Gibson, Laurie Holden, Jennifer Carpenter
Synopsis: Two police officers lurch into the depths of the criminal underworld after being suspended for a viral video of police misconduct. Being this an S. Craig Zahler movie, violence undoubtedly ensues.
What You Need to Know: Zahler’s films have a type. He feels like almost the grand marshall of the ’70s revival of hyper-violent slow burn exploitation films. The work polarizes to the umpteenth degree, but for those that can stomach what’s presented, therein lies unique rewards. “Brawl in Cell Block 99” was explosively graphic (and explosively great) in stretches, and it’s exciting to see him back working with Vaughn, who thrives in embracing a different side of his persona with the director, a budding genre superstar. The social backbone also feels rocksteady for Zahler’s measured malevolence. Though, whether Venice receives this one warmly or not will largely depend on Gibson, who is unquestionably back in the motion picture business to the chagrin of many. Just how progressive can a movie be with Mel freaking Gibson in the cast? Consider us both intrigued and a bit skeptical of this one.
Release Date: Not announced – CW
“Peterloo”
Cast: Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Pearce Quigley
Synopsis: The story of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre where British forces attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester.
What You Need to Know: If you were forced to choose one word to describe Mike Leigh, your safest bet would probably be “consistent.” Since the release of the director’s second theatrical feature “High Hopes,” Leigh’s released a film every two-to-four years since 1988, many of which receive a fair amount of critical acclaim due to his intensely rehearsed, improvisational style, as the director tends to begin projects without a script, equipped only with a cast and a premise. However, where “Peterloo” will fit into his filmography is yet to be seen.
Similar to the majority of his projects, Leigh’s cinematic portrayal of the Peterloo Massacre — an event regarded as one the most iconic political events in British history — is deeply personal to the filmmaker. Earlier this year, the 75-year-old director called for English schools to cover the massacre in their curriculums, as Leigh himself did not learn of the incident until he was an adult, despite the event’s impact on the United Kingdom’s political reform. Merging social relevance with Leigh’s knack for storytelling seems like a formula for instant success, and should have fans of the auteur’s past work interested, at the very least.
Release Date: November 9 – JC