2017 SLIFF BUZZ: A SELECTION

ANOTHER SLIFF BUZZ
– A PARTICULAR SCOOP –

Like with all of the St. Louis International Film Festivals (SLIFF), the 26th version makes it very easy again to be overwhelmed by the number of films presented. Ready for this year’s astounding stats?

Over 2400 submissions, plus a few hundred films from distributors, sales agents and studios.
After careful vetting, these are the winners:
372 films from 64 countries

When I introduce SLIFF to someone who is not familiar with it, I tell them that this is a fantastic way to travel the world and a rare chance to watch films that will possibly never reappear in St. Louis (nor possibly in the US)…

… even if they are masterpieces!
And every year, such pieces make their way to SLIFF,
UNFORGETTABLE FILMS!

While I have seen many of the films, there are also a great many I have not.
Feel free to write me if you would like more information.
I am adding an asterisk* next to those, which sight unseen, I consider very safe bets.

SOME OF THE TREASURES
– in chronological order of appearance –

Mawlana – The Preacher
by Magdi Ahmed Ali, based on Ibrahim Issa’s novel (and a screenwriter here)
– from surprise to surprise –
Friday, November 3 at 5:15pm
Sunday, November 12 at 12:15pm
Plaza Frontenac

A Woman’s Life – Une vie *
by Stéphane Brizé – the filmmaker behind the Cannes Golden Palm winner “The Measure of a Man”
Friday, November 3 at 9:00pm
Sunday, November 5 at 2:15pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

Tanna
by Martin Butler & Bentley Dean
– the most astounding film at the festival! – 2017 Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film –
Saturday, November 4 at 12:05 pm
Friday, November 10 at 4:40 pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

EXTRA
The Story of Tanna

Back to Burgundy – Ce qui nous lie *
by Cédric Klapisch
– the filmmaker behind “When the Cat’s Away,” “Paris,” and the “Spanish Apartment” trilogy (“L’Auberge espagnole,” “Russian Dolls,” and “Chinese Puzzle”-
Saturday, November 4 at 2:00pm
Monday, November 6 at 12:00pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

Dalida
by Lisa Azuelos (the daughter of singer, Marie Laforêt)
– a biopic like a doc about the international diva –
Saturday, Nov. 4 at 9:30pm
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2:30pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

The Smuggler and Her Charges – La passeuse des Aubrais
by Michaël Prazan
– the bright filmmaker & historian, here turns his attention for the first time on his own family –
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 12:05pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

True Conviction
by Jamie Meltzer – with subject Christopher Scott. in person…
– that rare doc that has you gasping at the ongoing injustice –
FREE
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4:00pm
Washington U./Brown

The Testament– Haedut
by Amichai Greenberg
– a unique search for truth, at all costs –
Monday, November 6 at 7:00pm
Thursday, November 9 at 2:15pm
Plaza Frontenac

Lost in Paris – Pieds Nus à Paris – sponsored by St. Louis French Tutoring!
– another zany adventure by Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon, of The Fairy fame (which played at SLIFF a few years ago) –
Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00pm
Thursday, November 9 at 2:30pm
Plaza Frontenac

Faces Places – Visages, Villages
– unseen but this collaboration between the legendary Agnès Varda & JR… their joyous humanity/vitality is sure to delight viewers –
Thursday, November 9 at 4:30pm
Sunday, November 12 at 3:00pm
Plaza Frontenac

Slack Bay – Ma Loute
by Bruno Dumont, the filmmaker behind Humanity, Flanders, The Life of Jesus, Camille Claudel 1915 (2013)
– unseen but with Juliette Binoche, Fabrice Luchini, and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in an unusual farce –
Saturday, November 11 at 2:45pm
Sunday, November 12 at 5:15pm
Plaza Frontenac Cinema

Django
by Étienne Comar
– another dramatic biopic with an enthralling soundtrack –
Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8:30pm
Tivoli Theatre

The Field – Hasade
by Mordechai Vardi – present!
The most courageous central character, Ali Abu Awwad, was recently prevented from coming to the US to speak in NY and Los Angeles.
FREE
Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4:00pm
Washington U./Brown