We have more big festival announcements today for two movies expected to make waves in the coming months. And no, they don’t involve the already stellar line up at TIFF, but instead, they find two more fests nabbing some pretty big titles for their closing slots.
Hot off the beautiful trailer that dropped yesterday, the New York Film Festival has announced that Spike Jonze‘s “Her” has landed the Closing Night Gala Presentation, where it will be making its World Premiere. The quirky romance is led by Joaquin Phoenix, telling the story of a man coming out of a long-term relationship who falls in love with an “advanced operating system.” Yep, you read that right. Not only is the premise ambitious, the cast is top-notch with Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, and Scarlett Johansson in supporting roles. And this looks like one that will bowl folks over.
“To discuss even a little bit of the plot—let’s just say that it’s about lonely people and artificial intelligence—is to deprive first-time viewers of the opportunity of discovering it themselves. The tone is magical, the freedom of the narrative is breathtaking….” said NYFF Director of Programming and Selection Committee Chair Kent Jones.
Meanwhile, overseas, the BFI London Film Festival has announced that “Saving Mr. Banks” will close their event. Starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, it tells the true story of Walt Disney‘s difficult working relationship with P.L. Travers, the author of “Mary Poppins,” as he adapted her book into a movie. Notably, this will be the “European premiere” of the film, suggesting it could crop up somewhere else first. Telluride or Toronto? We shall soon see.
The New York Film Festival runs from September 27th – October 13th, and the BFI London Film Festival from October 9th-20th.