The 2022 Hamptons International Festival (HIFF) unveiled the full slate of films including the Closing Night presentation of the New York premiere of SR., directed by Chris Smith, and the Centerpiece screening of Sarah Polley’s Women Talking. The 30th edition of the festival will feature a lineup of films that are 54% female-directed and represent 34 countries from around the world.
The festival’s closing night film SR., directed by Chris Smith is a tender yet fittingly irreverent portrait of the life and career of Robert Downey Sr., the fearless, visionary American director who set the standard for counterculture comedy in the sixties and seventies. It is an inspired collaboration between celebrated documentarian Chris Smith; the subject’s son, Robert Downey Jr.; and the man himself, who passed away in July 2021.
Centerpiece film is Sarah Polley’s Women Talking, based on the novel by Miriam Toews and follows a group of women part of an isolated religious community that grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith. The film stars Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand. The previously announced East Coast Premiere of Florian Zeller’s The Son will also screen as a Centerpiece film.
HIFF will also be hosting director, screenwriter, and producer Chris Columbus to lead the Signature Program “Rowdy Talks,” where Columbus will discuss his groundbreaking career in the film industry.
The 30th Annual Hamptons Film Festival will run as an extended 10-day event from October 7-16, 2022.
2022 Hamptons International Film Festival Lineup:
OPENING NIGHT FILM
LIVING
East Coast Premiere
dir. Oliver Hermanus (UK), 2022
In this elegant reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s beloved classic IKIRU, BAFTA Award® winner Bill Nighy
delivers a remarkable performance as Mr. Williams, a dedicated civil servant living in post-WWII London
who receives an earth-shattering diagnosis, forcing him to take stock of his lonely existence. In the hopes
of answering life’s most important questions, he sets out on a series of adventures, determined to find
some fulfillment before time runs out. Magnificently scripted by Kazuo Ishiguro (Nobel Prize-winning
author of The Remains of The Day and Never Let Me Go), and exquisitely helmed by Oliver Hermanus,
LIVING is the story of an ordinary man who, at the eleventh hour, makes a supreme effort to turn his life
into something wonderful. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
SR.
dir. Chris Smith (USA), 2022
With a canon of fearlessly satirical underground classics including PUTNEY SWOPE and GREASER’S
PALACE, visionary American director Robert Downey Sr. set the standard for comedic counterculture
cinema in the sixties and seventies. In collaboration with both Downey and his son—celebrated actor
Robert Downey Jr.—award-winning documentarian Chris Smith (AMERICAN MOVIE, FYRE: THE GREATEST
PARTY THAT NEVER HAPPENED, and executive producer of Tiger King) crafts a loving portrait of the
pioneering indie filmmaker in the final years of his life. Shot in textured black-and-white, and featuring
intimate interviews from loved ones, SR. is a tender—and fittingly irreverent—tribute to the beloved artist,
friend, and father.
30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL SOUTHAMPTON SCREENING
LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK & BLUES
dir. Sacha Jenkins (USA), 2022
In his illuminating portrait of the iconic artist, filmmaker Sacha Jenkins honors Louis Armstrong’s legacy
as a founding father of jazz, one of the first internationally known and beloved stars, and a cultural
ambassador. Showing sides of Armstrong few have been privileged to see, Jenkins comprehensively
covers his extraordinary life—spanning from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement—illustrating how
he became a lightning rod figure throughout that turbulent era. Presented through a lens of archival
footage, never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations, LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK
& BLUES offers an intimate and revealing look at a musician who changed the world. An Apple Original
release.
*This film will also screen as part of the World Cinema Documentary lineup.
CENTERPIECE FILMS
THE SON
East Coast Premiere
dir. Florian Zeller (UK), 2022
THE SON is a searing portrait of today’s mental health crisis, as viewed through the lens of a fractured
American family. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas (Zen McGrath) is struggling to cope after his parents’
divorce, leaving his mother Kate (Laura Dern) and father Peter (Hugh Jackman) at a loss. Although Peter
tries to provide for his son in ways his own father (Anthony Hopkins) never did, he fails to see what’s right
in front of him. With career-defining performances and razor-sharp storytelling, acclaimed novelist and
playwright Florian Zeller (THE FATHER) crafts the second installment of his planned trilogy with
authenticity and compassion. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
WOMEN TALKING
dir. Sarah Polley (USA), 2022
Adapted from Miriam Toews’ acclaimed novel of the same name, Academy Award®-nominated
writer-director Sarah Polley’s (AWAY FROM HER, STORIES WE TELL) latest considers the cloistered lives
of a group of women residing in an isolated, religious colony. When their spirituality is shaken by the
discovery of widespread sexual abuse within their Mennonite community, they clandestinely gather to try
and reconcile their devout faith with their growing desire for justice. Featuring sensational performances
from Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, and Judith Ivey, WOMEN TALKING is
a triumphant tale of faith, sovereignty, and the responsibility we have to ourselves and others. A United
Artists release.
SPOTLIGHT FILMS
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
dir. Martin McDonagh (UK/Ireland/USA), 2022
In a 1920s fictitious town off the coast of west Ireland, Colm (Brendan Gleeson) abruptly ends his lifelong
friendship with Padraic (Colin Farrell) without an explanation. Unable to accept it, Padraic goes to great
lengths to get their relationship back on track. When his attempts are met with hostility, the situation
escalates, with shocking consequences for everyone involved. Farrell, Gleeson and Academy Award®-winning director Martin McDonagh (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE OF EBBING, MISSOURI, IN BRUGES) reunite for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, a wild, riotous tale full of McDonagh’s signature blend of poignant interpersonal drama and explosive dark comedy. A Searchlight Pictures release.
CALL JANE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Phyllis Nagy (USA), 2022
Chicago, 1968. The ordinary life of suburban housewife Joy (Elizabeth Banks, delivering a career-best
performance), is turned upside-down when her unexpected pregnancy leads to a life-threatening
condition. With the all-male medical establishment unwilling to intervene, Joy turns to the clandestine
network of women known as the “Janes,” for urgent, life-saving healthcare. Skillfully helmed by Phyllis
Nagy (Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter of CAROL), and inspired by the true, covert activism of
the Jane Collective—whose underground abortions saved the lives of thousands of women in the
late-Sixties—CALL JANE is a powerful and timely tale of resistance and resilience in the fight for bodily
autonomy. A Roadside Attractions release.
DEVOTION
First US Special Screening
dir. JD Dillard (USA), 2022
Devotion, an aerial war epic based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the inspirational true
story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots who helped turn the tide in the most brutal battle in the Korean
War: Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in Navy history and his fellow fighter pilot and friend, Tom
Hudner. Their heroic sacrifices and enduring friendship would ultimately make them the Navy’s most
celebrated wingmen. With outstanding performances and jaw-dropping cinematography, DEVOTION is an unforgettable tale of friendship and courage. A Sony Pictures Entertainment release and a Black Label
Media production, the film was written by Jake Crane & Jonathan A.H. Stewart.
EMPIRE OF LIGHT
dir. Sam Mendes (UK/USA), 2022
From Academy Award®-winning director and writer Sam Mendes, EMPIRE OF LIGHT is an intimate and
moving story about love, friendship, and connection, set in a coastal town in Southern England against the social turmoil of the early 1980s. Hilary (Olivia Colman), a woman with a difficult past and an uneasy
present, is part of a makeshift family at the old Empire Cinema on the seafront. When Stephen (Micheal
Ward) is hired to work in the cinema, the two find an unlikely attraction and discover the healing power of
movies, music and community. A Searchlight Pictures release.
MY POLICEMAN
dir. Michael Grandage (UK/USA), 2022
A story of forbidden love and changing social conventions, My Policeman follows three young people –
policeman Tom (Harry Styles), teacher Marion (Emma Corrin), and museum curator Patrick (David
Dawson)– as they embark on an emotional journey in 1950s Britain. Flashing forward to the 1990s, Tom
(Linus Roache), Marion (Gina McKee), and Patrick (Rupert Everett) are still reeling with longing and regret,
but now they have one last chance to repair the damage of the past. Based on the book by Bethan
Roberts, director Michael Grandage carves a visually transporting, heart-stopping portrait of three people
caught up in the shifting tides of history, liberty, and forgiveness.
ROSALINE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Karen Maine (USA), 2022
ROSALINE is a fresh and comedic twist on Shakespeare’s classic love story “Romeo & Juliet,” told from
the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick, HIFF 10 Actors to Watch 2014), who
also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet
(Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back
her guy. Directed by Karen Maine (screenwriter, OBVIOUS CHILD) and based on the novel When You Were
Mine by Rebecca Serle, this romantic comedy features sharply funny performances by Bradley Whitford
and Minne Driver, delivering a clever update to a timeless story. A Hulu release.
THE SAME STORM
dir. Peter Hedges (USA), 2021
HIFF alum Peter Hedges (WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?, BEN IS BACK) returns with an imaginative
and moving snapshot of the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic’s early days. Resourcefully shot on
iPhones and laptops, Hedges crafts an intimate look into the lives of 24 characters navigating a new,
uncertain world. Against the backdrops of lockdowns, Black Lives Matter, and the looming 2020 election,
the film explores the necessity of human connection, love, and the ability to find empathy in a fraught,
untenable time. Featuring an all-star cast—including Elaine May in her first film role in 21 years—THE
SAME STORM is a unique and hopeful story that celebrates art’s ability to connect us all. A Juno Films
release.
SHE SAID
dir. Maria Schrader (USA), 2022
In 2017, New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan, THE BIG SICK) and Megan Twohey (Carey
Mulligan, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN) published a story that exposed decades of alleged sexual assault
and harassment committed by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Kantor and Twohey faced obstacles at every turn, their investigation provided a platform for courageous survivors and witnesses to
speak the truth, a truth that both stopped a powerful predator and ultimately helped dismantle the system that had enabled him. Directed by Emmy® winner Maria Schrader (UNORTHODOX), SHE SAID honors the heroic reporting of one of the most important stories in a generation—one that helped propel the #MeToo movement, shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood, and altered American culture forever. A Universal Pictures release.
TILL
dir. Chinonye Chukwu (USA), 2022
Mississippi, 1955. While in town visiting some cousins, 14-year-old Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall) is kidnapped
and lynched after he is wrongfully accused of harassing a white woman (Haley Bennett). Facing an
establishment unwilling to hold her son’s murderers accountable for their unimaginable brutality,
Emmett’s devastated mother Mamie Till Mobley (Danielle Deadwyler) channels her indescribable grief into a relentless pursuit of justice—her fearless activism an instrumental contribution to the Civil Rights
movement. Featuring astonishing performances from its flawless cast and powerful direction from HIFF
alum Chinonye Chukwu (CLEMENCY), TILL showcases the universal power of one mother’s ability to change the world. A United Artists release.
THE WHALE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Darren Aronofsky (USA), 2022
Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN, THE WRESTLER) returns to the festival with
the story of Charlie (Brendan Fraser, in a career-defining comeback performance), an online English
teacher confined to his home due to his severe obesity. When his health issues escalate, he reconnects
with his long-estranged teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink, ‘Stranger Things’) in an attempt to rejoin the
world that rejected him. Based on the award-winning play by Samuel D. Hunter, who also adapted the
screenplay, THE WHALE is a gritty yet compassionate story that draws self-acceptance and redemption
out of darkness and shame. An A24 release.
WHO INVITED CHARLIE?
World Premiere
dir. Xavier Manrique (USA), 2022
March 2020. With COVID-19 on the rise in NYC, self-centered hedge fund manager Phil Schreiber (Reid
Scott, Veep) escapes to the Hamptons with his wife Rosie (Jordana Brewster, THE FAST AND THE
FURIOUS) and son Max (Peter Dager) to ride out the lockdown. Their fraught situation is worsened by the
unexpected arrival of Phil’s pot-smoking, Bloody Mary-swilling former college roommate, Charlie (Adam
Pally, Happy Endings). Armed with untold secrets from Phil’s murky past, Charlie inserts himself into their
bubble and quickly makes himself at home. A darkly funny tale of family and friendship, Xavier Manrique’s
WHO INVITED CHARLIE? hilariously chronicles the quarantine experience with humor and humanity.
*This film will also screen as part of the Views From Long Island Signature Program.
AIR, LAND & SEA
THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE
dir. Francisca Alegría (France/Germany/Chile/USA), 2022
Francisca Alegría’s striking feature debut is a lyrical eco-fable of family, renewal, and resurrection.
Polluted with the industrial waste of a nearby factory, the toxic waters of the Cruces River in southern
Chile have become inhospitable to the surrounding local wildlife. Yet amongst the floating bodies of
lifeless fish, the long-dead Magdalena (Mía Maestro, FRIDA, THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) inexplicably
rises to the surface and returns to her family’s dairy farm. Mysterious and meditative, THE COW WHO
SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE skilfully connects long ignored alarms of impending environmental
devastation to one family’s need to address intergenerational traumas. A Kino Lorber release.
THE FOREST MAKER
US Premiere
dir. Volker Schlöndorff (Germany), 2022
Esteemed New German Cinema luminary and Academy Award® winner Volker Schlöndorff’s (THE TIN
DRUM) first documentary follows renowned Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo as he works with
farmers across the Sahel region of Africa to implement his innovative reforestation technique. Together,
Rinaudo and local leaders heal the areas damaged by destructive agricultural practices implemented
under European colonialism, restoring not only the soil, but also the dignity and hope of the people that
rely on the land. Delivering refreshing optimism in the face of an ecological crisis, THE FOREST MAKER is
a testament to the ability of empathy and collaboration to uplift communities and revitalize our natural
world.
INTO THE WEEDS: DEWAYNE “LEE” JOHNSON VS MONSANTO COMPANY
US Premiere
dir. Jennifer Baichwal (Canada), 2022
Following a devastating diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bay Area groundskeeper Dewayne “Lee”
Johnson began to question if his terminal illness was rooted in his exposure to Roundup, a popular
herbicide widely used by agricultural workers, landscapers, and suburban homeowners. When the World
Health Organization determined that the product is likely carcinogenic to humans and harmful to our
ecosystems, Johnson became the unlikely face of a fierce legal battle to hold the agrochemical giant
Monsanto accountable for their negligence and corruption. Deftly contextualizing Johnson’s personal
journey within the larger global environmental crisis, celebrated documentarian Jennifer Baichwal
incisively examines our society’s fraught relationship with the natural world in this thrilling David vs.
Goliath fight for justice.
COMPASSION, JUSTICE & ANIMAL RIGHTS
EO
dir. Jerzy Skolimowski (Poland/UK/Italy), 2022
Inspired by Robert Bresson’s timeless classic AU HASARD BALTHAZAR, the latest film from auteur
director Jerzy Skolimowski is an existential exploration of modern life in Europe told through the eyes of
its unlikely protagonist, EO the donkey. EO’s various encounters with people and places take us on a
mesmerizing and thought-provoking odyssey encapsulating the life of a humble creature. A modern fable, EO contends with humanity at its kindest and most tender, as well as its proclivity for cruelty and
suffering. Winner of the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, EO is a visually audacious examination of innocence and the natural world. A Sideshow/Janus Films release.
KENTUCKY PRIDE
dir. John Ford (USA), 1925
This little-seen gem by John Ford tells the story of a thoroughbred largely through the point of view of the horse, who casts her animal gaze on the troubled family of Southern aristocrats who own, sell, and
eventually reclaim her, as her colt becomes a futurity winner. Screenwriter Dorothy Yost made a specialty
of horse stories, including the 1948 Republic favorite The Strawberry Roan. With cameos by several
celebrated racehorses of the period, including Man o’ War. New 4K restoration from nitrate elements held
by MoMA, funded by Twentieth Century Fox. — Dave Kehr, The Museum of Modern Art. Live piano
accompaniment from Donald Sosin.
CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION
A RADICAL LIFE
World Premiere
dir. Ricki Stern, (USA), 2022
Acclaimed filmmaker and HIFF alum Ricki Stern (JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK) delivers an unfiltered
look inside the mind of Tania Joya, the former First Lady of ISIS, who spent twelve years married to the
highest ranking American in ISIS, John Georgelas. From a working class Bangladeshi family in Britain,
Tania’s desire for purpose and belonging drew her to Islamic extremism following 9/11. When John’s
devotion took them to Syria during that country’s civil war, Tania was faced with an impossible decision. A
RADICAL LIFE offers unique insight into her journey of blind devotion, false promises, and misguided
idealism. A Warner Bros/Discovery+ release.
FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
US Premiere
dir. Evgeny Afineevsky (Ukraine/UK/USA), 2022
Academy Award® nominee Evgeny Afineevsky (WINTER ON FIRE) received widespread acclaim at the
Venice Film Festival for his latest feature, a gripping, urgent record of the war in Ukraine and the resilience
of its people. Holding an unflinching gaze upon the violence perpetrated against the Ukrainian civilians
whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion, Afineevsky deftly contextualizes on-the-ground
events within the region’s larger geopolitical history. Featuring narration from Dame Helen Mirren and
constructed primarily through moving interviews with survivors and harrowing firsthand footage,
FREEDOM ON FIRE gives voice to the people of Ukraine as their democracy undergoes an existential
assault.
OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL
dir. Ellie Foumbi (USA), 2021
Marie Cissé’s (Babetida Sadjo) quiet life working as a chef in a French countryside retirement home is
shattered when she recognizes Father Patrick (Souléymane Sy Savané), a charming visiting priest, from
her home village in Cameroon. As his arrival unearths a harrowing ordeal she had buried in her past, Marie must decide how to confront him. Featuring powerful standout performances by Sadjo and Savané, OUR FATHER THE DEVIL skillfully grapples with questions of trauma, guilt, and revenge that embody the
struggle to heal. Ellie Foumbi’s gripping directorial debut won the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film
Festival.
RETROGRADE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Matthew Heineman (USA), 2022
Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® winner Matthew Heineman’s (CARTEL LAND, THE FIRST WAVE)
newest work captures the final nine months of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan from multiple
perspectives: one of the last US Special Forces units deployed there; a young Afghan general and his
corps fighting to defend their homeland against all odds; and the civilians desperately attempting to flee
as the country collapses and the Taliban take over. From rarely seen operational control rooms to the
frontlines of battle to the chaotic Kabul airport during the final US withdrawal, RETROGRADE offers a
cinematic and historic window into the end of America’s longest war, and the costs endured for those
most intimately involved. A National Geographic Documentary Films release.
THE SWIMMERS
US Premiere
dir. Sally El Hosaini (UK), 2022
Based on a true story, renowned director Sally El Hosaini’s electric new feature THE SWIMMERS is a
deeply moving exploration of Europe’s refugee crisis, the bonds of family, and the resilience needed to
pursue one’s dreams. Set in the midst of the Syrian Civil War, star swimmers Yusra and Sara Mardini
(real-life sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa) must flee their war-torn home in a desperate attempt to train in
Germany for the 2016 Rio Olympics. As asylum seekers, they face monumental obstacles together,
traveling across oceans and borders as they contend with their differences while trying to stay true to
themselves. A Netflix release.
VIEWS FROM LONG ISLAND
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY: HOW ONE TOWN STOOD AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
dir. Markie Hancock (USA), 2022
In the mid-1980s, when abuse insidiously took hold in the lives of three women, a small grassroots group
of locals tapped into the good will of the local Rotary Club and the town of East Hampton to establish a
shelter called The Retreat, which opened in 1992. Director Markie Hancock uncovers a narrative of
survival and empowerment as she retraces the improbable beginnings of The Retreat and its mission to
provide safety, shelter, and support to victims of domestic violence. A story of resilience, hope, and
inspiration in the face of fraught times, THE POWER OF COMMUNITY is a moving and empathetic
testament to a life-saving local institution.
THE QUIET EPIDEMIC
dir. Lindsay Keys, Winslow Crane-Murdoch (USA), 2022
After suffering mysterious, debilitating symptoms for years, 11-year-old Julia receives a controversial
diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease, an illness dismissed by many. Gaslit by doctors and insurance
companies at nearly every turn, Julia and her father are left with no choice but to take desperate action—
thrusting their family into the middle of a contentious debate dating back nearly 50 years. A disturbing
investigation reveals a paper trail of suppressed scientific research on why ticks—and the diseases they
carry—have been allowed to quietly spread around the world. A powerful indictment of institutional
corruption, Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdoch’s THE QUIET EPIDEMIC is a tribute to those
working tirelessly to uncover the truth and find a solution.
WHO INVITED CHARLIE?
World Premiere
dir. Xavier Manrique (USA), 2022
March 2020. With COVID-19 on the rise in NYC, self-centered hedge fund manager Phil Schreiber (Reid
Scott, Veep) escapes to the Hamptons with his wife Rosie (Jordana Brewster, THE FAST AND THE
FURIOUS) and son Max (Peter Dager) to ride out the lockdown. Their fraught situation is worsened by the
unexpected arrival of Phil’s pot-smoking, Bloody Mary-swilling former college roommate, Charlie (Adam
Pally, Happy Endings). Armed with untold secrets from Phil’s murky past, Charlie inserts himself into their
bubble and quickly makes himself at home. A darkly funny tale of family and friendship, Xavier Manrique’s
WHO INVITED CHARLIE? hilariously chronicles the quarantine experience with humor and humanity.
*This film will also screen as part of the Views From Long Island Signature Program.
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
ALL THAT BREATHES
Sponsored by PURE Insurance
dir. Shaunak Sen (India/UK/USA), 2022
This film also screens as part of the Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights section.
For decades, Muslim brothers Saud and Nadeem have tirelessly devoted their lives to the quixotic effort
of protecting black kites—majestic birds of prey that are essential to the ecosystem and have been falling
from New Delhi’s darkening skies at alarming rates. Amid pervasive environmental toxicity and social
turbulence, the brothers spend day and night caring for these creatures in their makeshift avian basement
hospital. Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, ALL THAT
BREATHES is a mesmerizing chronicle of inter-species coexistence amidst an ever shifting social and
environmental landscape. A Sideshow/Janus Films release.
BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
East Coast Premiere
dir. Christopher Sharp, Moses Bwayo (Uganda/UK/USA), 2022
First time director Christopher Sharp, and journalist and filmmaker Moses Bwayo tell the story of Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician leading the opposition to the 35-year regime in Uganda. A straightforward portrait turns into an astonishing record of an on-the-ground fight for democracy when Wine runs for president in 2021. Withstanding arrests, torture, and violence from the government, Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie risk their own lives and the lives of their children to lead their country towards freedom. A brave exposition of an authoritarian government that highlights the power of documentary journalism, BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT gripped audiences at Venice and Telluride Film Festivals this year. A National Geographic Documentary Films release.
IN HER HANDS
New York Premiere
dir. Tamana Ayazi, Marcel Mettelsiefen (USA/Afghanistan), 2022
Filmed across two turbulent years, In Her Hands tells the story of Zarifa Ghafari, who at 26 became one of
Afghanistan’s first female mayors and the youngest to ever hold the position. The film documents her
fight for survival against the backdrop of her country’s accelerated unraveling. As Western forces
announce their retreat and the Taliban start their sweep back to power, Zarifa and women across the
country face a new reality. Amid these tectonic changes, Zarifa must make the most difficult decision of
her life. A Netflix release.
PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS
East Coast Premiere
dir. Sinéad O’Shea (Ireland), 2022
Director Sinéad O’Shea returns home to the small Irish town of Navan to shed light on the painful grip that the Catholic Church held over her community for decades. Skillfully weaving together rare revelatory
interviews, archival footage, and present-day investigations, she uncovers a dark history of abuse condoned by the Church, including the horrors of mother-and-baby homes and the persistent violence
against schoolchildren. While exposing the co-dependent relationship among Church, State, and the Irish
people that allowed for widespread abuse, PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS also reveals unlikely heroes and quiet
victories, provides uplifting moments of closure, and celebrates the resilience of Navan’s townspeople.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
New York Premiere
dir. Casey Neistat (USA), 2022
YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Casey Neistat explores the triumphs and consequences of internet culture in
his first documentary feature, which captivated audiences at South by Southwest. UNDER THE
INFLUENCE tracks the meteoric rise and fall of massively popular Vine and YouTube star David Dobrik,
from the wild, often highly dangerous stunts of his “Vlog Squad” to disturbing allegations of complicity in
a sexual assault scandal that threatened to cancel his success. With a finger on the pulse of the internet,
Neistat skillfully examines the roles of stardom and accountability in the Wild West of digital
entertainment.
NARRATIVE COMPETITION
CLOSE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Lukas Dhont (Belgium/Netherlands/France), 2022
Thirteen-year-old boys Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele) share an intense bond, but as
their intimacy comes under scrutiny, their friendship fractures. In the aftermath, Léo builds his own sense
of self while seeking answers from Remi’s mother, Sophie (Émilie Dequenne). In his brilliantly crafted
sophomore feature, Belgian director Lukas Dhont delivers a visually rich, heartbreaking exploration of
intimacy, shame, and responsibility. Featuring breakout performances from its young stars and set
against the stunning backdrop of the Belgian countryside, CLOSE was one of the most talked-about films
at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the festival’s Grand Prix. An A24 release.
HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE
US Premiere
dir. Daniel Goldhaber (USA), 2022
Fed up with inaction against climate change, a crew of young environmental activists plan a bold mission
to sabotage a major oil pipeline. Based on the controversial book of the same name by Andreas Malm,
director Daniel Goldhaber’s debut feature is a radical case study on the fight for survival in the face of
environmental catastrophe, powered by an outstanding ensemble cast of stellar young actors and
dynamic cinematography. Fresh off its Toronto International Film Festival premiere, HOW TO BLOW UP A
PIPELINE delivers a potent blend of high-stakes heist thrills and unapologetic demands for action from a
generation coming of age in today’s climate crisis. A Neon release.
RETURN TO SEOUL
dir. Davy Chou (South Korea/France/Cambodia/Germany/Belgium/Qatar), 2022
Mercurial and impetuous, 25-year-old Frédérique “Freddie” Benoît (Park Ji-min) impulsively returns to her
motherland of South Korea for the first time since her adoption to a French family. Inexperienced with
both the native language and the nuances of Korean culture, she inelegantly sets out to track down her
biological parents for answers—unknowingly embarking on a turbulent, eight-year-long journey towards
her own self-discovery. Featuring arrestingly sensory visuals and an electrifying performance from
first-time actor Park, French-Cambodian filmmaker Davy Chou’s stunning sophomore feature is a soulful
meditation on identity, personhood, and what makes a place home. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
RODEO
East Coast Premiere
dir. Lola Quivoron (France), 2022
In the gritty suburbs north of Paris, fiercely independent Julia (breakout star Julie Ledru) lives only for the
thrill of motorcycling, stealing and scraping by in order to feed her hunger for the rev of an engine. When
she meets an ultra-masculine motorbiking crime ring at an urban ‘rodeo,’ Julia seems to finally find a
family, but the escalating demands to earn her place begin to threaten her safety. Captured by dynamic,
thrilling cinematography, director Lola Quivoron’s electric feature debut stunned the Cannes Film Festival
with its roaring horsepower, death-defying acrobatics, and tenderly crafted relationships. A Music Box
Films release.
SUMMER WITH HOPE
North American Premiere
dir. Sadaf Foroughi (Canada/Iran), 2022
In her second feature, writer/director Sadaf Foroughi delicately crafts a slow-burn coming-of-age drama
that builds to a churning, heart-wrenching emotional climax. As Omid (Mehdi Ghorbani) trains for a
prestigious swimming competition with the help of his friend and coach Mani (Benyamin Peyrovani), the
scrutiny of their families and community threatens their growing bond. Through powerful, poetic
cinematography and set against the stunningly rugged landscape of the Caspian Sea, Foroughi tells a
story that pits family responsibility against a desire for vulnerability in traditional patriarchal Iranian
society.
WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY
ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED
dir. Laura Poitras (USA), 2022
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras (CITIZENFOUR) comes the epic, emotional story
of the internationally renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin. Illustrated with a rich collection of personal
artworks, slideshows, and rare archival footage, Goldin recounts her own journey in intimate
detail—reflecting on her illustrious career as one of the world’s greatest living photographers, her personal struggles with addiction, and her dedicated fight to hold the Sackler dynasty accountable for their part in the deadly opioid crisis. Expertly marrying the personal with the political, ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED is an enthralling and empowering portrait of Goldin’s extraordinary life. A Neon release.
THE CAVE OF ADULLAM
dir. Laura Checkoway (USA), 2022
Academy Award®-nominated director Laura Checkoway (EDITH + EDDIE, HIFF 2017) delivers a tender
new documentary on the intersections of masculinity and mental health. In the heart of Detroit, Jason
Wilson opens a martial arts training center for young, underserved Black boys. When he realizes they need much more than discipline, Jason helps four new recruits confront the source of their unresolved anger, fear, and anxiety. THE CAVE OF ADULLAM is a probing look into the racist structures that fail many of America’s youth as well as a compassionate testament to the power of community, love, and vulnerability.
DE HUMANI CORPORIS FABRICA
dir. Véréna Paravel, Lucien Castaing-Taylor (France/USA/Switzerland), 2022
Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, the duo who brought us the ingenious ethnographic
documentary about the fishing industry LEVIATHAN, now turn their lenses inward—and directly into the
human body. A mixture of microscope cameras, endoscopic imagery, X-rays, and ultrasound probes reveal the unseen landscapes of our interiors, abstractly beautiful and terrifying. Footage from hospitals across Paris add an air of cool detachment to this surreal exploration of life and death. An innovative and moving meditation on the fragility of our existence, DE HUMANI CORPORIS FABRICA stunned and enthralled viewers in equal measure when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. A Grasshopper Films release.
DESCENDANT
dir. Margaret Brown (USA), 2022
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Margaret Brown (THE GREAT INVISIBLE, HIFF 2014) returns to her
hometown of Mobile, Alabama, to document the historic search for The Clotilda, the last known ship
illegally carrying enslaved Africans to arrive in the United States in 1860. After a century of secrecy and
speculation, the long-awaited discovery of the remains of the ship puts the spotlight on the descendants
of Africatown as they actively fight to preserve their heritage and seek justice. A moving and layered
contemplation of a community taking control of their legacy, DESCENDANT thoughtfully examines the
interplay between memory and evidence, and questions how history is passed and is preserved. A Netflix
release.
DESPERATE SOULS, DARK CITY AND THE LEGEND OF MIDNIGHT COWBOY
East Coast Premiere
dir. Nancy Buirski (USA), 2022
In 1969, the masterpiece MIDNIGHT COWBOY shocked and enraptured audiences with its honest, gritty
portrayal of New York City hustlers, breaking barriers as the only X-rated film to ever win the Academy
Award® for Best Picture. Director Nancy Buirski (THE LOVING STORY, HIFF 2011) excavates the lives of
its creators, including the brilliantly talented actors Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, blacklisted
screenwriting legend Waldo Salt, and fearless director John Schlesinger. Elegantly combining extensive
archival material with compelling new interviews, DESPERATE SOULS, DARK CITY illuminates how one
film captured the essence of a time and a place, reflecting a rapidly changing society with striking clarity.
THE EXILES
New York Premiere
dir. Ben Klein, Violet Columbus (USA), 2022
In their documentary feature debut, Ben Klein and Violet Columbus team up with the lovable loudmouth
Christine Choy, an Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker (WHO KILLED VINCENT CHIN?), professor, and activist whose iconoclastic opinions have inspired a generation of artists. Seeking closure on a project
Choy had left unfinished thirty years ago, the trio revisit old footage and reunite with three exiled,
pro-democracy dissidents from the Tiananmen Square massacre, whom Choy had interviewed decades
earlier. Winner of the top documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival, THE EXILES is a profound
reflection on identity and belonging, and the fragile nature of record and remembrance.
THE FIRE THAT TOOK HER
dir. Patricia E. Gillespie (USA), 2022
In 2015, 31-year-old mother of two Judy Malinowski was doused in petrol and set on fire by her
ex-boyfriend. After her death, she became one of the first women to testify at her own murder trial from
beyond the grave. Director Patricia E. Gillespie meticulously constructs the story behind this landmark
legal case through harrowing firsthand footage, interviews with Judy’s family, and accounts from the
police officers and attorneys who brought her murderer to justice. At the intersection of true crime and MeToo, THE FIRE THAT TOOK HER fearlessly and compassionately articulates the tragedy of how much women must suffer in order to be believed. An MTV Documentary Films release.
GOOD NIGHT OPPY
East Coast Premiere
dir. Ryan White (USA), 2022
In 2004, NASA scientists and engineers anxiously looked on as their exploration rover Opportunity
touched down on Mars. Designed to survive only 90 days, the robot—lovingly dubbed “Oppy”—set out to search for traces of life on the dusty Red Planet. Surpassing all expectations, the resilient rover kept on
going; what was intended to be a short-lived mission became an epic expedition lasting nearly 15 years.
Pairing extraordinary archival footage with unmatched visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic (of
STAR WARS fame), Ryan White’s GOOD NIGHT OPPY charts the rover’s unforgettable journey and the
indescribable bond forged between man and machine millions of miles away. An Amazon Prime Video
Release.
GROUCHO & CAVETT
World Premiere
dir. Robert S. Bader (USA), 2022
Equal parts touching and revelatory, GROUCHO & CAVETT shines a light on the enduring friendship
between Emmy®-winning television personality Dick Cavett and iconic comedian Groucho Marx. While
working as a writer for Jack Parr on The Tonight Show, Cavett met Marx by chance at a funeral, sparking a
mentorship in which Marx encouraged Cavett to step into the spotlight himself as a comedian. Through
new interviews with Cavett, archival footage of Marx’s frequent visits to The Dick Cavett Show at the end
of his life, and other rare recordings, director Robert S. Bader crafts a portrait of a legendary friendship
spanning two comedic generations with insight, humor, and heart. A PBS American Masters release.
JANUARY 6TH
World Premiere
dir. Jules Naudet, Gédéon Naudet (USA), 2022
Few moments loom larger in contemporary American history than the events of January 6, 2021. With
unprecedented access to the Capitol and DC Metropolitan police departments, Emmy and
Peabody-winning directors Gédéon and Jules Naudet (9/11, November 13: Attack on Paris) examine the
insurrection from the unique perspective of the heroes, first responders, and survivors of the violent
attack. Featuring interviews with members of Congress, Capitol staffers, and police officers about their
experiences on that calamitous day, JANUARY 6TH is an unvarnished record of the resilience and bravery
of those on the scene—an urgent reminder that democracy is never something to be taken for granted. A
Warner Bros/Discovery+ Release.
LIFT
dir. David Petersen (USA), 2022
Academy Award®-nominated director David Petersen tells the inspiring story of LIFT, an afterschool ballet program for housing-insecure youth in New York City. Bronx-born dancer and choreographer Steven Melendez leads the program, helping his students make the aristocratic art form their own while
reckoning with his own traumatic childhood in a shelter. Shot over an impressive ten-year span and
supported by principal advisor Misty Copeland, LIFT tracks the triumphs and trials of the children who
grew up attending the program, capturing in real time how Melendez’s support and mentorship empowers them to navigate their difficult home circumstances and find their own voices through dance.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK & BLUES
dir. Sacha Jenkins (USA), 2022
In his illuminating portrait of the iconic artist, filmmaker Sacha Jenkins honors Louis Armstrong’s legacy
as a founding father of jazz, one of the first internationally known and beloved stars, and a cultural
ambassador. Showing sides of Armstrong few have been privileged to see, Jenkins comprehensively
covers his extraordinary life—spanning from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement—illustrating how
he became a lightning rod figure throughout that turbulent era. Presented through a lens of archival
footage, never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations, LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK
& BLUES offers an intimate and revealing look at a musician who changed the world. An Apple Original
release.
*This film will also screen as the 30th Anniversary Special Screening in Southampton.
NAKED GARDENS
dir. Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan (USA/France), 2022
A visually stunning narrative documentary, NAKED GARDENS immerses audiences in the complex, unseen
world of a Co-directors Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan (PAHOKEE, 2019) return to HIFF with this brilliant
portrait of a nudist resort in the Florida Everglades. Filmed over one season at the campsite, and
culminating in their annual Mid-Winter Naturist Festival, NAKED GARDENS sensitively and respectfully
explores the stories of the individuals and families who choose to live there, for reasons ranging from
affordability to non-conformist values to healing from past trauma. Through their stunning signature
verité style, Lucas and Bresnan capture the sublime tranquility of the lush, tropical resort and quietly
challenge preconceptions of nudism in this unlikely snapshot of contemporary America.
THE VOLCANO: RESCUE FROM WHAKAARI
World Premiere
dir. Rory Kennedy (USA), 2022
In her tense and gripping new documentary, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Rory Kennedy (LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM) tracks the minute-by-minute unfolding of the tragic volcanic eruption off the coast of New Zealand in 2019, when a routine sightseeing day-trip to a remote volcanic island left 47 tourists and guides trapped in the epicenter of a boiling pyroclastic surge of toxic dust and ash. Offering more than a startling and brutal portrait of mother nature’s profound indifference, THE VOLCANO: RESCUE FROM WHAKAARI serves as testimony to humans’ innate generosity by celebrating the survivors and the everyday people who courageously came to their rescue. A Netflix release.
WORLD CINEMA NARRATIVE
AFTERSUN
dir. Charlotte Wells (UK/USA), 2022
In her vibrant directorial debut, Charlotte Wells crafts a poignant portrait of a father and daughter on a
fateful holiday in the 1990s. Spending a hazy summer weekend together at a budget Turkish resort,
11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio, in a breakout performance) treasures this rare time with her father, the
loving yet melancholic Calum (Emmy® nominee Paul Mescal, Normal People), whose inner turmoil
simmers beneath the surface. Years later, Sophie tenderly pieces together memories and home footage
of that summer, struggling to reconcile the man she loved with the sides of him that will forever remain
unknowable. A gorgeously textured drama, the Cannes prize-winning AFTERSUN established Wells as a
promising new voice in cinema. An A24 release.
ALCARRÀS
dir. Carla Simón (Spain/Italy), 2022
A poetic study of the passing of a way of life and the clash between tradition and industry, ALCARRÀS is a
luscious ensemble drama soaked in sun and nostalgia. In a small village in Spain, the Sole family spends
every summer picking peaches from their orchards. Confronted with an eviction notice and plans to
replace their groves with solar panels, conflicts simmering within the family rise to the surface. Carla
Simón (SUMMER 1993, HIFF 2017) returns with a dazzling new feature about a family on the brink of
irrevocable change, which earned the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. A MUBI release.
BROKER
dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda (South Korea), 2022
Circumnavigating the endless bureaucracy of legal adoption, Sang-hyun (Song Kang Ho, PARASITE) and
Dong-soo (Gang Dong Won) are two “brokers” who unlawfully connect abandoned infants with affluent
couples through the black market. When one stolen child’s birth mother unexpectedly returns to ensure
her baby is placed in a good home, the three embark on a journey to find the perfect parents—forming an unlikely family of their own along the way. Five years after his Palme d’Or winning SHOPLIFTERS,
celebrated Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda’s deeply humanist tale earned Song the Best Actor prize at
this year’s Cannes Film Festival. A Neon release.
CHRISSY JUDY
New York Premiere
dir. Todd Flaherty (USA), 2022
Writer/director Todd Flaherty’s debut feature is a charming and outrageous exploration of queer
friendship and what happens when your chosen family no longer chooses you. Ambitious 30-something
drag queen/cater-waiter Judy (Flaherty) and his best friend Chrissy (Wyatt Fenner) do everything
together—from chasing boys to perfecting their drag act—while dreaming of making it big. When Chrissy’s priorities abruptly shift, a disillusioned Judy struggles to redefine himself without his best friend. Shot in stunning black-and-white cinematography and featuring an enthralling breakout performance from Flaherty, CHRISSY JUDY tells a moving, universal story about the pain of a lost friendship and the
empowerment of self-discovery.
CORSAGE
dir. Marie Kreutzer (Austria/Luxembourg/Germany/France), 2022
Long idolized by her subjects for her beauty and fashionable tastes, Empress Elizabeth ‘Sissi’ of Austria
(Vicky Krieps, PHANTOM THREAD) faces losing the public’s interest now that she has turned the dreaded
age of 40. With her role in politics reduced to the purely performative, and a monotonous future of strictly ceremonial duties ahead of her, Sissi resolves to rebel against the world’s hyperbolized image of her. Grounded in Krieps’ incendiary, unsentimental performance, which earned her an acting prize at the
Cannes Film Festival, Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE is an enthralling portrait of a woman determined to take
back control of her narrative and protect her legacy. An IFC Films release.
DECISION TO LEAVE
dir. Park Chan-wook (South Korea), 2022
Full of Hitchcockian twists and turns, DECISION TO LEAVE is an elaborate and emotionally complex crime
story. Married, hard-working detective Hae-jin (Park Hae-il) is sent to investigate the mysterious death of a man found at the foot of the mountains. When he falls for the prime suspect—the dead man’s enigmatic wife Seo-rae (Tang Wei, LUST, CAUTION)—Hae-jin must balance personal feeling with moral duty in this delicately wrought tale of love and obsession, which keeps its viewers guessing right till the end. This romantic thriller has enthralled audiences and critics alike, earning visionary filmmaker Park Chan-wook (THE HANDMAIDEN, HIFF 2016) the prestigious Best Director Prize at Cannes. A MUBI release.
HOLY SPIDER
East Coast Premiere
dir. Ali Abbasi (Denmark/Germany/Sweden/France), 2022
Strong-willed female journalist Rahimi (Cannes Best Actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi) travels to the
Iranian holy city of Mashad to investigate a serial killer targeting the city’s sex workers in the name of
God. Her quest for justice is complicated when the fanatical “Spider Killer” is heralded by many as a hero.
This expertly crafted crime thriller subverts and upends the genre with a tale that spins its own web of
duplicity and bureaucracy within the frailty of human morality. Loosely based on a true story, HIFF alum Ali Abbasi’s HOLY SPIDER is both a psychological game of cat and mouse and an incisive critique of
institutionalized systemic misogyny. A Utopia release.
KARAOKE
dir. Moshe Rosenthal (Israel), 2022
Set in the middle-class Israeli suburb of Holon, director Moshe Rosenthal’s hilarious and touching debut
feature film follows retired couple Meir (Sasson Gaby) and Tova (Rita Shukrun), who over the years have
lost their passion for each other and for life. When their charismatic new neighbor Itsik (Lior Ashkenazi)
starts hosting karaoke nights in the penthouse upstairs, they both become seduced by his energetic
charm and begin to compete for his attention. Featuring standout performances and a wry yet
affectionate sense of humor, KARAOKE explores what it means to grow old together while staying
youthful along the way. A Greenwich release.
MORE THAN EVER
North American Premiere
dir. Emily Atef (France/Germany/Luxembourg/Norway), 2022
The effortlessly happy marriage of Bordeaux-based couple Hélène (Vicky Krieps, PHANTOM THREAD)
and Mathieu (Gaspard Ulliel, SAINT LAURENT) is turned upside down when 33-year-old Hélène is
diagnosed with a rare and devastating illness. Making an existential choice that will forever test the
strength of their relationship, she journeys alone to Norway, hoping to reclaim the autonomy that her
disease threatens to strip away. Elegantly lensed and featuring exquisite turns from both Krieps and the
late Ulliel—in what would tragically be his final role—Emily Atef’s MORE THAN EVER is a deeply
empathetic and quietly life-affirming tale of love and loss.
NANNY
dir. Nikyatu Jusu (USA), 2022
In Nikyatu Jusu’s arresting debut feature, recent Senegalese émigré Aisha (Anna Diop) takes a job looking
after the daughter of a privileged New York City couple (Michelle Monaghan and Morgan Spector), hoping it will afford her the opportunity to bring over the son she left behind. Increasingly unsettled by rising tensions within the household, Aisha finds herself plagued by a violent, supernatural presence that
threatens to destabilize everything she has been painstakingly working towards. Winner of the Grand Jury
Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, NANNY explores the psychological horrors of the immigrant
experience and unravels the dangerous myth of the American Dream. An Amazon Prime Video Release.
ONE FINE MORNING
dir. Mia Hansen-Løve (France), 2022
Celebrated filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve (BERGMAN ISLAND, THINGS TO COME) crafts a beautifully
intricate portrait of a young, widowed mother (Léa Seydoux) as she struggles to balance the exhausting
obligations of her everyday life in Paris—from raising her daughter (Camille Leban Martins) as a single
parent to keeping up with her work as a translator, all whilst caring for her ailing father (Pascal Greggory)
and developing a relationship with her married lover (Melvil Poupaud). A favorite at this year’s Cannes
Film Festival, and grounded in Seydoux’s nuanced performance, ONE FINE MORNING captures the
unsentimental ups and downs of the human experience with empathy and elegance. A Sony Pictures
Classics release.
PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME
World Premiere
dir. Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg (USA), 2022
In 1970s New York City, down-on-his-luck writer Roger Sharpe (Mike Faist, WEST SIDE STORY) has only
one source of joy: pinball. When he learns during a police raid that his passion is considered illegal
gambling, Roger sets out on a history-making mission: to overturn the ban by using his own abilities to
prove pinball is a game of skill rather than purely one of chance. Based on a true story, this charming
debut feature from brothers Austin and Meredith Bragg captures the spirit of a beloved American pastime with snappy humor, a timeless love story, and very impressive mustaches.
R.M.N.
dir. Cristian Mungiu (Romania/France), 2022
Palme d’Or-winning director Cristian Mungiu (4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS) presents a superbly crafted
and complex portrait of a community at the cross section of poverty, ecology, and politics. Matthias
(Marin Grigore) returns home to his multi-ethnic village in Transylvania, where he is preoccupied by his
ailing father, his suddenly mute son, and his ex-lover Csilla (Judith State). When Csilla hires migrant
workers from Sri Lanka at the local bread factory, the town’s thin veneer of understanding and calm is
shattered, revealing the roots of xenophobia and the villagers’ underlying fears and conflicts. R.M.N. is a
breathtakingly taut psycho-drama full of surreal twists and turns. An IFC Films release.
TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
dir. Ruben Östlund (Sweden/France/UK/Turkey/Germany), 2022
HIFF alum Ruben Östlund (FORCE MAJEURE, THE SQUARE) strikes again with this shocking comedic
satire of modern extravagance in the era of Insta-fame. A young model Carl (Harris Dickinson) and his
girlfriend Yaya (Charlbi Dean) are invited to join the wealthy elite aboard a luxury cruise helmed by a
slightly crazed captain (Woody Harrelson). What promises to be a lavish voyage soon derails into a
disaster of epic proportion. Artfully told, this wild romp won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival
and delivers a riotous (and at times hard to stomach) commentary on the superficial glitz and glamor of
high society. A Neon release.
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM COMPETITION
CHERRIES
East Coast Premiere
dir. Vytautas Katkus (Lithuania), 2022
A recently retired father invites his son to help him with the cherry-picking in the garden. The father is in
no hurry to finish the job, though, as he tries to catch up with his son.
THE MELTING CREATURES
US Premiere
dir. Diego Céspedes (Chile/France), 2022
Nataly, a trans woman, visits a former lover with her daughter Secreto. Here, in a mysterious reclusive
community that hides from the sun, traumatic memories of a toxic and abusive relationship resurface.
REST STOP
US Premiere
dir. Crystal Kayiza (USA), 2021
On a bus ride from New York to Oklahoma, a young Ugandan-American girl realizes her place in the world through her mother’s efforts to reunite their family.
SHE ALWAYS WINS
US Premiere
dir. Hazel McKibbin (USA/UK), 2022
A young woman views her new relationship through her sister’s eyes and, for the first time, understands
that she is making herself small to accommodate her partner’s ego.
SNOW IN SEPTEMBER
US Premiere
dir. Lkhagvadulam (Dulmaa) Purev-Ochir (Mongolia/France), 2022
Davka, a Mongolian teenager living in a decaying Soviet-era apartment block, meets a mysterious older
woman who challenges his views on intimacy.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM COMPETITION
THE FAMILY STATEMENT
New York Premiere
dir. Grace Harper, Kate Stonehill (UK), 2022
The Sackler family built a fortune on the back of addictive pharmaceutical drugs. Using private family
messages, this film constructs a dialogue between the Sacklers and those on the frontline of the opioid
crisis.
PARTY POSTER
East Coast Premiere
dir. Rishi Chandna (India), 2021
Science, religion and politics comically collide amidst a raging pandemic in suburban Mumbai, when
laundrymen set out to design a poster celebrating a popular annual festival worshiping the deity Ganesha.
THE SENTENCE OF MICHAEL THOMPSON
dir. Kyle Thrash, Haley Elizabeth Anderson (USA), 2022
Convicted in 1994 for selling cannabis, Michael Thompson was the longest-serving nonviolent offender in
Michigan history. After the state legalizes the substance, his daughter and his lawyer fight for his
clemency, revealing the harmful ramifications of the war on drugs.
WHEN THE LAPD BLOWS UP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
dir. Nathan Truesdell (USA), 2022
Tensions rise on a busy street as news organizations and local residents witness an extremely volatile
situation turn into a literal powder keg.
WILL YOU LOOK AT ME
New York Premiere
dir. Shuli Huang (China), 2022
A young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown, where a long overdue conversation with his mother
plunges them into a quest for love and acceptance.
SHORT FILMS – NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION: WOMEN CALLING THE SHOTS
BEA, SERIOUSLY
dir. Hanna Gray Organschi (USA), 2021
Bea shows up at her mother’s house to decide what to do about an unexpected pregnancy.
DEAR MAMA…
New York Premiere
dir. Winter Dunn (USA), 2021
The death of a musical icon forces a family to confront each other and the emotional aftermath of their
own recent loss.
EL CARRITO
dir. Zahida Pirani (USA), 2021
Nelly works tirelessly as a street vendor in Queens. Determined to change her circumstances, she makes
a risky business decision.
GIRLS GOT GAME
dir. Elizabeth Lo (USA), 2022
In a field often openly hostile to women, one of the oldest e-sports organizations launches GX3, its first
all-women professional team. Four new recruits participate in the company’s BootCamp.
PAPER GEESE
New York Premiere
dir. Elizabeth Chatelain (USA), 2022
After an unsuccessful goose hunt, a young girl grapples with seeing her father in a new light.
SANA QUE SANA
dir. Gabriella Aguirre (USA), 2022
An exploration of healing and betrayal told within the framework of personal family history.
UNIVERSITY SHORT FILMS SHOWCASE
BERRY PICKERS
dir. Agnes Skonare Karlsson (Sweden), 2022
Two Thai brothers, Nat and Tem, take out a large loan to go to Northern Sweden as migrant workers in the berry picking industry, hoping to secure a brighter future for themselves back home.
GLORIOUS REVOLUTION
US Premiere
dir. Masha Novikova (UK/Ukraine/Germany), 2021
In 2014, at the height of the Ukrainian revolution, a mother loses her son when he is killed while protesting in Independence Square. Her attempt to bury him as a hero clashes with a corrupt bureaucratic system, testing her view of Ukraine.
MOTHERLAND
New York Premiere
dir. Christina Yoon (South Korea/USA), 2022
Leah, a Korean adoptee raised in America, returns to Korea to search for her birth mother. Though she is
met with secrecy from the adoption agency as well as her own family, she remains relentless on her solo
journey.
TEXTURES
New York Premiere
dir. Lindsay Opoku-Acheampong (USA), 2021
Follow the interweaving stories of Taylor, Camille, and Azani as they perform a weekly ritual in Black
womanhood. TEXTURES traverses the intricate relationship Black women have with their hair.
WET
dir. Marianne Bergeonneau, Lauriane Montpert, Mélina Mandon, Cloé Peyrebrune, Elvira Taussac (France),
2021
During a thrilling massage, a lady plans to seduce her masseur. Through different rooms of a thermal
cure, a seduction game takes place.
SPLASH! SHORTS FOR ALL AGES
CUPIDS
dir. Zoey Martinson (USA), 2021
When three kids worry that their beloved school bus driver will be lonely this summer without them, they
set out to find her a partner.
KAYAK
dir. Solène Bosseboeuf, Flore Dechorgnat, Tiphaine Klein, Auguste Lefort, Antoine Rossi (France), 2021
A father and his young son set out on a kayak trip down the river. A peaceful day soon turns into a real
family adventure!
LOST BRAIN
New York Premiere
dir. Isabelle Favez (Switzerland), 2021
One day Louise the Crocodile sneezes her brain out and suddenly the simplest tasks present huge
challenges. Louise must find a way to rediscover her world before she fades away.
MAMA HAS A MUSTACHE
dir. Sally Rubin (USA), 2021
A fun and quirky exploration of gender and family, as seen through children’s eyes.
THE OCEAN DUCK
dir. Huda Razzak (USA), 2021
During a flood a young woman visits her sick grandmother at the hospital. The flood brings back
memories of the past and fantastical visions—as an ancient tale comes to life.
OMAR & PINCETTE
US Premiere
dir. Julien Sulser (Switzerland), 2021
Omar has crab claws for arms and works tirelessly for the cruel circus director Monsieur Jules. Life
seems hopeless until Pincette, a ropewalking mermaid, arrives; suddenly, anything seems possible!
TAILS ON ICE
dir. Miranda Currie (Canada), 2021
A young Canadian sled dog sets out on her first trial expedition with the pack across the snowy
landscape.
SHORT FILMS – ON THE ROAD TO NOWHERE
AUNTIE
East Coast Premiere
dir. Fawzia Mirza (USA), 2022
Unemployed, 39-year-old Hena goes to a happy hour for lawyers and befriends a group of 20-somethings who add her to their group chat.
DETACHED
World Premiere
dir. Harry Schleiff, Sidney Schleiff (USA), 2021
When a couple cohabitating in Los Angeles become bored with their stagnant, repetitive life together, an
inexplicable event forces them both to confront the reality of living with an idealized version of their
partner.
THE DIAMOND
New York Premiere
dir. Vedran Rupic (Sweden), 2021
Stefan is a lonely man. Walking in the woods, he stumbles across a diamond he can’t reach. The solution
soon presents itself in the form of a much smaller man and a life lesson about seeking treasures.
LOUIS I. KING OF THE SHEEP
New York Premiere
dir. Markus Wulf (Germany), 2022
One day Louis the sheep puts on a crown and becomes Louis I. King of the Sheep. With his newfound
power, Louis starts to change the world around him to his liking—until the winds shift.
NYC TIPS AND TRICKS
dir. Amber Schaefer (USA), 2021
A smalltime travel vlogger’s tour of Coney Island is interrupted by an unexpected call.
REASONS
East Coast Premiere
dir. Charlotte Peters (UK), 2022
When a dinner party derails into a series of petty arguments and unspoken grievances, it gradually
becomes apparent that what all these guests have in common is an awkward secret.
SHORT FILMS – STOP MAKING SENSE
BIG BANG
North American Premiere
dir. Carlos Segundo (France/Brazil), 2022
Chico earns his living fixing ovens, into which he easily fits, thanks to his small size. Disregarded and
marginalized by a society that hates him, Chico begins to resist.
THE CRIMSON MERCEDES
East Coast Premiere
dir. Marine Levéel (France), 2022
Carrying the weight of her past, Annie whispers to the dunes. Fearful that the burdens of history will affect
her daughter, Annie looks for solutions in the most unlikely of places.
LAST DAYS OF AUGUST
dir. Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, Robert Machoian (USA), 2022
Blurring the lines between still photography and cinema, this portrait examines the effects of the
e-commerce industry on the small prairie towns of Nebraska.
MY DUDUŚ
dir. Tom Krawczyk (USA), 2022
A Polish mother in Chicago grieves when her only child leaves home to study in Poland. While her son is
away, she forges a unique and powerful bond with a baby squirrel in her backyard.
SUGAR GLASS BOTTLE
World Premiere
dir. Neo Sora (Japan), 2022
Near-future Tokyo. A sheepish high schooler finds a surprising way to express his mounting frustration at
the insidious forces of commercialism that are forcing out his neighbors.
SHORT FILMS – LOOKING BACKWARD, LOOKING FORWARD
THE HEADHUNTER’S DAUGHTER
dir. Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Philippines), 2021
Leaving her family behind, Lynn traverses the harrowing roads of the Cordillera highlands to try her luck in the city as a country singer.
HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
International Premiere
dir. Salar Pashtoonyar (Afghanistan/Canada), 2022
Shot in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, this thought-provoking and humane hybrid of documentary and
fiction delves into the experience of a woman forced to the edge of her society.
MARIA SCHNEIDER, 1983
dir. Elisabeth Subrin (France), 2022
Maria Schneider gave an interview for the TV show Cinéma Cinémas in 1983, and the conversation took
an unexpected turn when she challenged the practices of the film industry. By reframing the conversation,
what can we learn?
SIERRA
New York Premiere
dir. Sander Joon (Estonia), 2022
In this surreal animation loosely inspired by the director’s childhood, a father and his son are losing a car
race; in order to win, the boy turns himself into a tire.
THE VOICE ACTRESS
dir. Anna J. Takayama (Japan), 2022
A veteran voice actress working in Tokyo must navigate the ever-changing modern industry.
CONFLICT & RESOLUTION SHORTS PROGRAM
ANASTASIA
New York Premiere
dir. Sarah McCarthy (Russia/USA), 2022
Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko was arrested and detained under house arrest for two years for
speaking out against the government, with devastating personal consequences. As Anastasia and her
family travel across Russia by train, she comes to grips with her loss and what it means to fight for
freedom.
THE FLAGMAKERS
New York Premiere
dir. Cynthia Wade, Sharon Liese (USA), 2022
THE FLAGMAKERS is a peek into the country’s largest American flag and flagpole manufacturer, where
refugees and immigrants who have risked everything to come to the USA, alongside their midwestern
co-workers, stitch and sew five million American flags a year.
STRANGER AT THE GATE
dir. Josh Seftel (USA), 2021
After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana full of rage, determined to
continue his fight for his country. When he meets the community at his local mosque, his destructive
plans take an unexpected turn.
SHORT FILMS – VIEWS FROM LONG ISLAND SHOWCASE
THE END
World Premiere
dir. Emily Sundberg (USA), 2022
An exploration of the history and lore surrounding Gardiners Island, America’s oldest privately owned
island.
THE PASS
New York Premiere
dir. Pepi Ginsberg (USA), 2022
On holiday, Ben goes swimming at a private beach. His peaceful afternoon is disturbed when he meets a
menacing stranger, leaving Ben afraid to get out of the water.
ROCCO UP
New York Premiere
dir. John Madere (USA), 2022
Rocco is an autistic boy who has always loved being in the ocean. Over the years, he develops confidence,
grace, and remarkable balance on his surfboard.
THE ROLLING EAST
dir. Ben Potter (USA), 2022
A visual embodiment of a surfer’s experience in New York, where patience and persistence are key.
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