The Sydney film festival is back for the first time since 2019. It will be running from June 8 till June 19. Here is FIB’s selection of films to watch.
The Festival is holding screenings across Sydney’s most iconic theatres. The State Theatre, George Street’s Event Cinemas, Palace Cinema Central, The Ritz Cinema Randwick, Dendy Newtown, the Domain Theatre at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
The Official Competition:
When looking at the large selection this year, it might be hard to figure out where to start. We’ve got you covered.
Starting with the movies running in the official competition. If you’ve only got limited time, it might be a good idea to focus on the ones that are actually running. Here is our list of must-see’s at SFF(Sydney Film Festival) 2022.
Alcarras – Directed by Carla Simón
A movie showing in Catalan (Spanish dialect) with English subtitles. It is a drama depicting the life of a Catalonian family working on a farm.
Before, Now & Then, Directed by Kamila Andini
This drama shows a female friendship in Indonesia during troubled political times.
The Box, Directed by Lorenzo Vigas
This drama is about a Mexican minor trying to find his lost father in the context of the struggles of migrant workers.
Burning Days, Directed by Emin Alper
This Turkish political thriller tells the story of a prosecutor who moves to a small Turkish town – and becomes embroiled in a political scandal.
Close, Directed by Lukas Dhont
This Belgian film centres around a damaged teen friendship that won the Grand Prix at Cannes this year.
Fire of Love, Directed by Sara Dosa
This Sundance 2022 award winner is about two French vulcanologists obsessed with each other
Godland, Directed by Hlynur Palmason
“Godland” tells the story of a Danish priest’s voyage in the 19th century to build a church in a remote part of Iceland.
The Quiet Girl, Directed by Colm Bairéad
This Irish film is told in the Gaelic language, about a girl living with foster parents after leaving a dysfunctional family.
Return to Seoul, Directed by Davy Chou
A film following a French woman discovering her Korean origins. Freddie, who is twenty-five years old, is planning a trip to Japan for a short vacation. However, she chooses to travel from Paris to Seoul at the last minute. Her birthplace was South Korea, but she was adopted and reared in France. Freddie begins a tentative search for her biological parents – a journey packed with humour and deep emotion in a film of extraordinary brightness and strength.
Utama, Directed by Alejandro Loayza Grisi
The beautiful love story of a Quechea couple in Bolivia that wants to preserve their way of life.
You won’t be alone, Directed by Goran Stolevski
It tells the tale of a witch that can change form and wants to know what being human means.
10 Other Films Worth Watching:
Out of all of the other films that will be shown, we’ve selected some that will surely dazzle you.
We are Still Here, Directed by Mario Gaoa
“We Are Still Here” is a multi-protagonist drama film about eight Indigenous heroes from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific who must overcome hurdles to become masters of their own fate.
The Blind Mind Who Did Not Want to See Titanic, directed by Teemu Nikki
Jaakko is unable to walk and blind, and he lives his life in a wheelchair. Sirpa is his favourite. They have never met in person since they live so far apart, but they talk every day on the phone.
Utama, Directed by Alejandro Loayza Grisi
An elderly Quechua couple in the Bolivian highlands has been following the same routine for years.
Where is Anne Frank? Directed by Ari Folman
The film follows Kitty, Anne Frank’s imaginary companion to whom she dedicated her journal.
The Plains, Directed by David Easteal
The remarkable three-hour first movie from Australian filmmaker David Easteal is almost entirely shot inside a car during rush hour.
We Met in Virtual Reality, directed by Joe Hunting
In this breakthrough documentary, love, imagination, and technology collide in the world of virtual reality during the epidemic.
Previous winners:
To remind you of previous winners, here they are: There is No Evil (2021), Parasite (2019), The Heiresses (2018), On Body and Soul (2017), Aquarius (2016), Arabian Nights (2015), Two Days, One Night (2014), Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011), Heartbeats (2010) and Bronson (2009).
To buy tickets or check out the full Sydney Film Festival schedule, go here.
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