“The Room Next Door”
After experimenting with two short films, “The Human Voice” and “Strange Way of Life,” the one and only Pedro Almodóvar has finally made his first feature-length English-language film. Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel “What Are You Going Through,” this contemporary melodrama centers on a conflict between Martha (Tilda Swinton), a war correspondent, and her daughter’s ex-lover, Ingrid (Julianne Moore). The cast also includes John Turturro and Alessandro Nivola, with Almodovar shooting not only in the familiar confines of Madrid but also in New York City(a rare overseas excursion). Almodovar has once again reunited with Sony Pictures Classics to distribute, and the film not only in competition at Venice but at TIFF, San Sebastian, and is the centerpiece gala at the New York Film Festival (a good sign overall). Whether it can return Almodovar, Swinton, and Moore to their former awards season glory remains to be seen. – GE (read our review)
“Queer”
The second collaboration between director Luca Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes after “Challengers,” this adaption of William S. Burroughs’ seminal novel is reportedly the Italian filmmaker’s most artistic endeavor since “I Am Love” (although you could argue his 2018 remake of “Suspiria” is right there). Daniel Craig portrays Lee, an ex-pat writer living in early 1950s Mexico City who becomes enamored with Allerton, a recently discharged member of the American Navy played by Drew Starkey. The story is inspired by the real relationship between Burroughs and serviceman Adelbert Lewis Marker during that period in the author’s life. The cast also includes Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, and Henrique Zaga. – GE (read our review)
“Oh, Canada”
Based on the 2021 novel “Foregone” by Canadian author Russell Banks (“The Sweet Hereafter”), button-pushing filmmaker Paul Schrader breaks from his man-in-a-room trilogy to tell the tale of a famed Canadian documentary filmmaker who gives a final interview to one of his former students to tell the whole truth about his life. And it’s confession filmed right in front of his wife. And it’s the story of an aging Canadian-American leftist who fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Richard Gere stars as the older, more tormented version of the character, Uma Thurman plays his wife, and up-and-coming superstar Jacob Elordi (“Euphoria,” “Salburn”) plays the much younger version. The film also stars Victoria Hill, Michael Imperioli, Penelope Mitchell, and Kristine Froseth. Alt-country/Americana singer-songwriter Matthew Houck, aka Phosphorescent, wrote the score. – RP (read our review)
“Pavements”
Alex Ross Perry’s latest endeavor is an experimental hybrid documentary and narrative that explores the cult indie band Pavements. It pulls from Perry’s jukebox musical “Slanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical” and incorporates historical footage of the ’90s band. Ross has recruited an intriguing cast to play the band, including Joe Kerry, Nat Wolff, Fred Hechinger, and Logan Miller. The cast is rounded out by Jason Schwartzman, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Tim Heidecker, among others. – GE (read our review)
“The Shrouds”
For a minute there, it seemed like Canadian master of body horror David Cronenberg might retire from filmmaking, but he thankfully came back strong in 2022 with “Crimes of the Future,” which premiered in competition at Cannes. His latest is a horror that seems to have some autobiographical elements of grief following the death of Cronenberg’s wife in 2017. The film centers on a 50-year-old prominent businessman who is inconsolable following the death of his wife. In his grief, he events a revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed in their shrouds. One night, after his wife’s grave is desecrated, the angry visionary seeks to track down the perpetrators. “The Shrouds” stars Diane Kruger, Vincent Cassel, and Guy Pearce alongside Sandrine Holt, Elizabeth Saunders, and Jennifer Dale. Cronenberg has described it as deeply personal, revealing that it was initially set up as a Netflix series before they canceled it. – RP (read our review)
