One of the biggest events during winter is back! The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) 2019 takes place in Auckland from July 18 until August 4.
It’s been confirmed that nearly 150 films make up this year’s Auckland programme. Given this exhaustive number of films, I’ve picked out five films that I believe will be worth your while to see. I haven’t (yet) seen the films myself so these picks are purely based on film synopsis, doing a quick Google search, and personal taste. I understand taste is subjective so consider these picks as five really strong suggestions.
High Life
This does not sound like your typical science-fiction film. Essentially, the film is about sending death row inmates into deep space and towards a black hole while taking part in sexual experiments by scientists. The film sounds weird, I know, but that is what I find the most intriguing about it! It’s definitely original and when describing the film, critics have used the words disturbing, grotesque, mesmerising, sensual, provocative, and memorable. The film is directed by Claire Denis and stars Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
This film, directed by Bi Gan, is acclaimed for its hour-long 3D sequence shot in a single, unbroken take and seeing how this sequence looks is already worth the price of admission. Also, the film was a big hit at last year’s Cannes Film Festival so there is clearly something to like about it. Part film noir, part dreamscape, the film explores romantic obsession in southern China.
Amazing Grace
For a festival that boasts about having nearly 150 films, I must say the programme is a bit light on the music genre. When I searched for films under the music genre, only 14 results came up. Among these results, the film that stood out to me was Amazing Grace. The documentary contains footage from 1972 of Aretha Franklin recording the most successful gospel album to date. I read that this film was shelved for nearly 50 years due to a technical issue with the audio and video not syncing. Eventually this technical mistake was repaired thanks to technology. On top of the technical issue, Franklin refused to get the film released but her family agreed to release the film after the singer’s death in 2018. Now that the film is finally released, show some respect and see this film about the “Queen of Soul” doing what she did best!
Bellbird
I would be remiss if I didn’t include a New Zealand film as one of my picks. Out of the locally produced films screening at this year’s festival, my pick goes to this film. Written and directed by Hamish Bennett, the film is said to be a funny drama about life and community on a struggling Northland family dairy farm. While the story doesn’t scream original, the film does sound delightful so this would be my choice for an easy-going watch.
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog
To celebrate Alfred Hitchcock’s 120th birthday, NZIFF is screening what is described as the “first true Hitchcock movie” while accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra performing Neil Brand’s new score. This live cinema event is playing for one night only at The Civic and marks the NZIFF’s 20th collaboration with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The Lodger is a silent film set in London where a serial killer, who only strangles beautiful young blondes, is on the loose.
