The 2024 New York Film Festival is set to captivate audiences with an impressive lineup featuring highly anticipated films like Sean Baker’s “Anora,” Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door,” and Steve McQueen’s “Blitz.” The festival, running from September 27 to October 14, will showcase a variety of films from world-renowned directors and new talents, including the North American premiere of Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie, and the Elton John documentary “Never Too Late.”

The 62nd New York Film Festival (NYFF) is just around the corner, bringing a diverse selection of films that reflect the current state of cinema and the world. With more than 70 films spanning shorts, documentaries, and feature-length narratives, this year’s lineup includes some of the biggest names in the industry alongside rising stars. From the opening night film “Nickel Boys,” directed by RaMell Ross, to the closing night film “Blitz,” directed by Steve McQueen, the festival promises to be a cinematic event not to be missed.

The festival kicks off with Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a film that has already garnered significant attention after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. The dramedy, set in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, follows the life of Anora, a sex worker who finds herself entangled in the world of a Russian oligarch’s son. Baker, known for his unflinching portrayal of underrepresented communities, offers a narrative rich with humor, heart, and social commentary. Screenings for “Anora” are already in high demand, with most tickets sold out, signaling its status as a must-watch.

Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door,” the festival’s Centerpiece selection, marks the Spanish auteur’s first English-language film. Starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, the film explores the deep bond between two old friends who revisit their pasts amidst the bustling backdrop of Manhattan and upstate New York. This is Almodóvar’s 15th film to be featured at NYFF, solidifying his long-standing relationship with the festival. The director expressed his excitement about the film’s U.S. debut at the festival, calling it a special occasion that bridges his career with New York audiences.

Another highlight is Brady Corbet’s epic drama, “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian-Jewish architect who seeks to rebuild his life in America post-World War II. Spanning three and a half hours, this ambitious film will be shown on 70mm celluloid at the festival, providing a unique and immersive viewing experience. Corbet’s work is known for its grand narratives and meticulous attention to detail, and “The Brutalist” is no exception. This film is expected to be a festival favorite and a standout in Corbet’s career.

In addition to these marquee films, the Spotlight section will feature several high-profile premieres, including Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic opera singer Maria Callas in her final days. The documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late,” directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, will offer an intimate look at the legendary musician’s life and career. Alex Ross Perry’s “Pavements,” a unique anti-biodoc about the rock band Pavement, and Jacques Audiard’s Cannes winner “Emilia Pérez” will also be screened.

Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” will make its U.S. debut as the Centerpiece of the 62nd annual New York Film Festival. This will be Almodóvar’s 15th film to be featured at NYFF, further cementing his relationship with the festival. The Spanish auteur’s first English-language feature stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as two friends reconnecting in Manhattan and upstate New York. Almodóvar described the film as a “hushed and humane portrayal of the beauty of life and the inevitability of death.”

“The New York Film Festival is probably my favorite film festival in the world,” said New York Film Critics Circle member Siddhant Adlakha. “The sheer variety of the programming, from big buzzy names to esoteric fare and revivals of restored films from decades past, makes it a unique and invaluable experience.”

With many screenings already at capacity, the festival offers a rare chance to see films like Corbet’s “The Brutalist” and Sean Baker’s “Anora” on the big screen before they’re released to the wider public. These films, along with other selections from international and independent filmmakers, showcase the festival’s commitment to celebrating the vanguard of cinema.

“Anora,” “The Brutalist,” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” are just a few of the standout films that will be showcased at this year’s festival. Whether you’re a fan of established auteurs or curious to discover new voices in cinema, the New York Film Festival offers something for everyone. With tickets already selling fast, now is the time to secure your spot for this landmark event.

”Anora”

Sean Baker’s latest film, “Anora,” makes its North American debut at the New York Film Festival 2024 after winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes. Set in the gritty streets of Brooklyn, the film follows the life of a sex worker who forms an unlikely bond with the son of a Russian oligarch. “Anora” promises to deliver Baker’s signature blend of humor, heart, and social realism, offering a compelling portrait of survival and connection in contemporary America.

The Brutalist

Starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian-Jewish architect who rebuilds his life in America after World War II, this three-and-a-half-hour Brady Corbet epic was picked up for distribution by indie powerhouse A24 at the Venice Film Festival, but doesn’t yet have a release date.

Screenings of “The Brutalist” are almost all full, but Adlakha recommends giving it a shot as the film will be presented on 70mm celluloid at the festival, which makes for a warmer and richer viewing experience – think of an analog photo print vs. a digital camera photo.

Emilia Pérez

This comic crime drama will be in theaters this fall before hitting Netflix on Nov. 13. It stars Karla Sofía Gascón as the closeted leader of a Mexican cartel who goes through gender-affirming surgery. Also featuring Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, the genre-bending film is also a musical, which Adlakha describes as “shot like a straight-to-DVD mid-2000s Hollywood thriller.”

April

Another selection that doesn’t currently have a U.S. release date is this drama that follows a doctor who performs illegal abortions to help women in rural communities in the country of Georgia.

Adlakha cautions that “April” is visceral and disturbing “not only for what it depicts on screen, but for what lingers just out of the frame,” and highlights the sound design in particular.

“Universal Language”

A more abstract and surrealist movie that’s somehow also accessible, this Canadian comic drama is a direct homage to the Iranian New Wave films of directors like Abbas Kiarostami, mixing Farsi with concrete landscapes in wintry Winnipeg.

“Universal Language” won the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award at Cannes this year. Adlakha called it “fascinating and very strangely funny,” and recommends seeking it out as it’s the kind of film that won’t play at your local Regal or AMC multiplex.

“Dahomey”

This Mati Diop documentary about a French museum returning stolen African artifacts to Benin, won the Golden Bear at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival. Coming in at a tight 67 minutes, “Dahomey” shows the process of packing and shipping the artifacts, as well as weaving in monologues told from the voice of the statues and art pieces themselves. Adlakha called it “one of the most powerful cinematic devices I’ve seen in anything this year.”

“Hard Truths”

Film fans know director Mike Leigh from his seven-decade career that’s included highlights like “Secrets & Lies” and “Topsy-Turvy.” The British director’s new film, “Hard Truths” follows Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a 50-something wife and mother who lashes out comically against anyone and everyone about her disappointments with life.

Adlakha recommended the film for its immense lead performance alone. He said it’s funny at first but reveals a lingering sadness as it progresses.

“Oh, Canada”

Paul Schrader, who wrote or directed films including “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” and “First Reformed,” returns with this adaptation of a Russell Banks novel. “Oh, Canada” stars Richard Gere as a documentarian who reflects on his life after a cancer diagnosis. Also featuring Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli, and Jacob Elordi, the film will hit theaters on Dec. 6.

Full 62nd New York Film Festival Slate:

Opening Night

Nickel Boys - Dir. RaMell Ross

Centerpiece

The Room Next Door - Dir. Pedro Almodóvar

Closing Night

Blitz - Dir. Steve McQueen

NYFF 62 Slate:

• All We Imagine as Light - Dir. Payal Kapadia

  
  

• Anora - Dir. Sean Baker

  
  

• April - Dir. Dea Kulumbegashvili

  
  

• The Brutalist - Dir. Brady Corbet

  
  

• By the Stream - Dir. Hong Sangsoo

  
  

• Caught by the Tides - Dir. Jia Zhangke

  
  

• Dahom - eyDir. Mati Diop

  
  

• The Damned - Dir. Roberto Minervini

  
  

• Eephus - Dir. Carson Lund

  
  

• Grand Tour - Dir. Miguel Gomes

  
  

• Happyend - Dir. Neo Sora

  
  

• Hard Truths -Dir. Mike Leigh

  
  

• Harvest - Dir. Athina Rachel Tsangari

  
  

• Misericordia - Dir. Alain Guiraudie

  
  

• My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow - Dir. Julia Loktev

  
  

• No Other Land - Dir. Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor

  
  

• Oh, Canada - Dir. Paul Schrader

  
  

• On Becoming a Guinea Fowl - Dir. Rungano Nyoni

  
  

• Pepe -Dir. Nelson Carlos de los Santos Arias

  
  

• The Seed of the Sacred Fig - Dir. Mohammad Rasoulof

  
  

• The Shrouds - Dir. David Cronenberg

  
  

• Stranger Eyes -Dir. Yeo Siew Hua

  
  

• Suburban Fury - Dir. Robinson Devor

  
  

• Transamazonia - Dir. Pia Marais

  
  

• A Traveler’s Needs - Dir. Hong Sangsoo

  
  

• Việt and Nam - Dir. Trương Minh Quý

  
  

• Who by Fire -Dir. Philippe Lesage

  
  

• Youth (Hard Times) -Dir. Wang Bing

  
  

• Youth (Homecoming) - Dir. Wang Bing

As the 62nd New York Film Festival draws near, cinephiles and industry insiders alike eagerly anticipate what promises to be one of the most compelling lineups in recent years. With a diverse array of films ranging from the thought-provoking narratives of Sean Baker’s “Anora” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” to the powerful historical dramas like Steve McQueen’s “Blitz,” this year’s festival is set to offer a profound exploration of storytelling that transcends borders and genres. The festival’s commitment to showcasing both acclaimed directors and emerging voices is a testament to its role as a cornerstone of global cinema, celebrating the art form’s ability to reflect, challenge, and inspire.

From the opening night’s poignant “Nickel Boys” to the closing film “Blitz,” audiences will experience stories that resonate deeply with the human condition, set against the backdrop of a world that is constantly evolving. Whether through the intimate lens of personal struggle or the sweeping scope of historical events, these films capture the essence of what makes cinema such a powerful medium.

As festival-goers fill the theaters across New York City, the excitement and energy are palpable, a testament to the enduring allure of the New York Film Festival. For two weeks, the city will become a hub of cinematic celebration, bridging cultures, sparking conversations, and, most importantly, reminding us of the limitless possibilities of the silver screen. Find tickets and more information at filmlinc.org or filmlinc.org/nyff2024/

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