Cenamaticfy News, Free Cinema – Telluride Film Festival 2024: Julie Huntsinger Unveils Exciting Films, Docs, and Special Events, promises to be a cinematic spectacle like no other, taking place over the Labor Day weekend from August 30 to September 2 in the picturesque Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Known for its exclusivity and surprise factor, the official selection is often revealed just a day before the event begins. This year’s lineup, curated by festival director Julie Huntsinger, includes an eclectic mix of period dramas, musicals, and a vast array of non-fictional works. With titles overlapping with other major festivals like Venice and TIFF, the anticipation for Telluride is palpable among cinephiles worldwide.
A Stellar Lineup of Films and Directors
This year’s festival features highly anticipated films such as Edward Berger’s “Conclave” and Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night.” Both have generated considerable buzz, not only for their compelling narratives but also for their talented casts.
- “Conclave” is a dramatic exploration of the papal election, expected to captivate audiences with its intense storytelling and intricate character dynamics.
- “Saturday Night” recreates the 1975 launch of “Saturday Night Live,” blending humor, drama, and behind-the-scenes intrigue.
The Program: Main Features of The SHOW
Here’s the main program of new feature films and episodic works to play in its main program, The SHOW:
- “All We Imagine as Light” (d. Payal Kapadia, France-India-Netherlands-Luxembourg, 2024)
- “Anora” (d. Sean Baker, U.S., 2024)
- “Apocalypse in the Tropics” (d. Petra Costa, Brazil-U.S.-Denmark, 2024)
- “Better Man” (d. Michael Gracey, Australia, 2024)
- “Bird” (d. Andrea Arnold, U.K., 2024)
- “Blink” (d. Daniel Roher, Edmund Stenson, U.S.-Canada, 2024)
- “Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid!” (d. Matt Tyrnauer, U.S., 2024)
- “Conclave” (d. Edward Berger, U.K., 2024)
- “Disclaimer” (d. Alfonso Cuarón, U.K.-U.S., 2024)
- “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” (d. Embeth Davidtz, South Africa, 2024)
- “Emilia Pérez” (d. Jacques Audiard, France, 2024)
- “In Waves and War” (d. Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, U.S., 2024)
- “Jean Cocteau” (d. Lisa Immordino Vreeland, U.S., 2024)
- “Leonardo Da Vinci” (d. Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon, U.S., 2024)
- “Maria” (d. Pablo Larraín, Germany-Italy-U.S.-Hungary-France-Greece, 2024)
- “Martha” (d. R.J. Cutler, U.S., 2024)
- “Memoir of a Snail” (d. Adam Elliot, Australia, 2024)
- “Misericordia” (d. Alain Guiraudie, France-Spain-Portugal, 2024)
- “Nickel Boys” (d. RaMell Ross, U.S., 2024)
- “No Other Land” (d. Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Palestine-Norway, 2024)
- “One to One: John & Yoko” (d. Kevin Macdonald, U.K., 2024)
- “Piece by Piece” (d. Morgan Neville, U.S., 2024)
- “Santosh” (d. Sandhya Suri, U.K.-Germany-France, 2024)
- “Saturday Night” (d. Jason Reitman, U.S., 2024)
- “Separated” (d. Errol Morris, U.S., 2024)
- “September 5” (d. Tim Fehlbaum, Germany, 2024)
- “Social Studies” (d. Lauren Greenfield, U.S., 2024)
- “The End” (d. Joshua Oppenheimer, Ireland-Germany-Italy-Sweden-Denmark-U.K., 2024)
- “The Friend” (d. David Siegel, Scott McGehee, U.S., 2024)
- “The Outrun” (d. Nora Fingscheidt, U.K.-Germany, 2024)
- “The Piano Lesson” (d. Malcolm Washington, U.S., 2024)
- “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (d. Mohammad Rasoulof, Germany-France-Iran, 2024)
- “The White House Effect” (d. Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, Pedro Kos, U.S., 2024)
- “Will & Harper” (d. Josh Greenbaum, U.S., 2024)
- “Zurawski v Texas” (d. Maisie Crow, Abbie Perrault, U.S., 2024)
The Backlot Screening Room
Backlot will feature a variety of behind-the-scenes movies and portraits of artists, musicians, and filmmakers. All programs are free and open to the public:
- “A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things” (d. Mark Cousins, U.K., 2024)
- “¡Casa Bonita mi Amor!” (d. Arthur Bradford, U.S., 2024)
- “Chain Reactions” (d. Alexandre O. Philippe, U.S., 2024)
- “Her Name Was Moviola” (d. Howard Berry, U.K., 2024)
- “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” (d. David Hinton, U.K., 2024)
- “Nobu” (d. Matt Tyrnauer, U.S., 2024)
- “Riefenstahl” (d. Andres Veiel, Germany, 2024)
- “The Easy Kind” (d. Katy Chevigny, U.S., 2024)
- “The Hexagonal Hive and a Mouse in a Maze” (d. Tilda Swinton, Bartek Dziadosz, U.K., 2024)
- “The Swallow” (d. Tadhg O’Sullivan, Ireland, 2024)
Oscar Contenders and Breakout Performances
One of the most talked-about films is “Nickel Boys,” directed by RaMell Ross and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead. Julie Huntsinger describes it as “a towering achievement” and a potential Oscar contender due to its emotional depth and stunning cinematography. Similarly, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night,” featuring Gabriel LaBelle as a young Lorne Michaels, is expected to be a significant player in the awards season.
The Return of Legendary Filmmakers
Telluride is not just about film premieres; it’s a reunion ground for acclaimed directors like Alfonso Cuaron, Alexander Payne, and Ken Burns. These filmmakers return to the festival, either with their latest projects or simply to be a part of the vibrant community of storytellers. This year will also see Karyn Kusama, David Lowery, Casey Affleck, and Ramin Bahrani, all present without any films to showcase, immersing themselves in the unique atmosphere.
A Lighter and More Uplifting Selection
After years marked by the somber realities of the pandemic and social unrest, Huntsinger mentions a deliberate shift towards more uplifting narratives. Films like Nora Fingscheidt’s “The Outrun,” starring Saoirse Ronan, and Jacques Audiard’s vibrant musical “Emilia Pérez” epitomize this more positive outlook, providing audiences a reason to feel hopeful and energized.
Documentaries Taking Center Stage
Documentaries play a significant role in this year’s lineup, featuring:
- “Separated” by Errol Morris, which critically examines the Trump administration’s family separation policy.
- “Social Studies” by Lauren Greenfield, which explores the effects of social media on high school students.
These documentaries delve into crucial social issues, providing a platform for meaningful discourse.
Spotlight on Indian Cinema: A New Wave at Telluride 2024
Two Indian films that debuted at Cannes 2024, “All We Imagine as Light” and “Santosh,” have made their way to Telluride this year.
- “All We Imagine as Light,” directed by Payal Kapadia, offers a lyrical portrayal of three women in different phases of life and their complex relationships.
- “Santosh,” directed by Sandhya Suri, is a poignant film about the struggles of an Indian man in the UK, navigating themes of identity and belonging.
The SHOW: Highlights and Features
The SHOW Poster Gallery is a visual feast featuring a curated collection of posters representing the rich history of films played at TFF, curated by MUBI and Posteritati. Other exciting features include:
- Elizabeth Cook: A Solo Performance
- Poster Signing with Luke Dorman
- Audi Drive Experiences
- The SHOW App: For more details and interactive experiences
Looking Forward
As the festival draws near, cinephiles and industry professionals eagerly await the full schedule and lineup of surprise films. With the Telluride Film Festival’s reputation for hosting groundbreaking films and fostering industry connections, this year is expected to be no exception.
For the latest updates on the festival, including exclusive sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes coverage, stay tuned to DT Entertainment and follow our live updates.