3 Must-See Films from the New York Film Festival

The New York Film Festival has concluded its two-week stay in the city. It ran from September 26th to October 13th and featured 62 feature films. Films from all over the world, spanning multiple genres and time periods, made their debut here in New York.

If you weren’t able to attend the festival, make sure to keep an eye out for these films in theaters and streaming services. Since so many films were in the lineup this year, here are my three must-sees to get you started.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon is the latest release from director Richard Linklater, about the world of Broadway in 1943. Starring Ethan Hawke as a character with such depth and power, you won’t want to take your eyes off him. He seems almost unrecognizable in the role of Lorenz Hart, a lyricist. Acting alongside Hawke are Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley, and Bobby Cannavale. The three of them use their talent to draw you even further into the world of Blue Moon.

It follows Lorenz Hart’s reaction to his business partner, composer Richard Rodgers (Scott), working with another lyricist and finding success. Hart and Rodger’s projects weren’t getting traction, so Rodgers decided to create a musical with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein called Oklahoma!. The film focuses on the night of the new musical’s premiere and the reaction that Hart is having. He is going through all of the emotions, and the audience gets a front row seat to his stages of grief, anger, and acceptance.

This is the ninth time that Hawke and Linklater have worked together, and their ongoing partnership in the film industry is amazing to witness. Blue Moon is about the passage of time, the evolution of careers and partnerships, and what feelings can arise. If you like theatre, talented actors who pull their audience into the story, or just want to watch a film that is both witty and full of depth, Blue Moon is for you.

Father Mother Sister Brother

Next on the list to see is Father Mother Sister Brother, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. As the title suggests, this is a movie about families. It’s in the form of a triptych, with three individual chapters, each focusing on different people with distinct familial experiences. Some of the familiar faces you’ll recognize through this film are Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and Mayim Bialik.

The story follows: two siblings, who can’t help but lightly banter with each other, visit their father in rural New Jersey; two sisters reunite with their guarded mother in Dublin; and a pair of twins who come back to Paris to deal with a family tragedy. Throughout the film, these pairs of siblings have to confront the tensions between them and overcome the strained relationships they have with their families. Although the tension is high, the love runs stronger throughout each of the chapters.

Father Mother Sister Brother is a unique way to tell a story. The chapters are all separate, yet they flow together seamlessly in a structure that just makes sense. It’s a quiet film, sprinkled with gentle humor and filled with small details that accumulate delicately. It feels like poetry and can evoke deep and profound emotions in the viewer. If subtle and calm films are up your alley, be sure to watch Father Mother Sister Brother.

The Currents

My final recommendation to you is Milagros Mumenthaler’s most recent film, The Currents. The tape doesn’t have a star-studded cast, yet it absolutely deserves to be watched and talked about. It stars Isabel Aimé González-Sola portraying a fashion designer (yes, fashion!), who getting awarded for her notable career. González-Sola is captivating to watch in this role and easily draws the viewers into her complicated world.

While on a work trip to Switzerland, Lina (González-Sola) jumps unexpectedly into a freezing cold lake. She survives and travels home to Buenos Aires, where she just isn’t the same. She has trouble getting back to her life as a designer, a wife, and a mother. The shock of plunging into the cold water seems to have changed something within Lina. She starts to distance herself from everything, and people begin to get worried.

The Currents is a psychological puzzle and existential masterpiece. All of the aspects of the film come together to create an accurate depiction of how Lina has dissociated from her normal life. This film is emotional and real, yet it also has a fashion focus. I urge you to watch The Currents if you like films that make you think. However, the inclusion of fashion in the storyline is an added bonus!

Any of the 62 feature films that played during the New York Film Festival would be great movies to see. But I understand that that might seem a little overwhelming, so here are my top recommendations. Mark your calendars to head to the theater or open up your favorite streaming platform, and enjoy a new release. Happy watching!

Have you seen any of the other films featured at the New York Film Festival? Leave a comment below!