With over 300 films screening across the 18-day festival, it can be a struggle for even the most well-prepared filmgoers to know which films to prioritise. To help you start to fill out your festival schedule, we’ve rounded up a list of recommendations of titles showing at ACMI Cinemas and beyond.
Blue Moon
Dir. Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke together one again… need we say more? One of two Linklater films screening at this year’s festival (the other being Nouvelle Vague), Blue Moon follows the aftermath of the opening night of Oklahoma! through the eyes of dejected playwright Lorenz Hart; whose former collaborative partner, composer Richard Rogers, is responsible for the iconic music of Oklahoma! Speaking of collaborations; Blue Moon marks the first between Linklater and Hawke since 2014’s Boyhood, following team-ups across the iconic Before trilogy and a pair of forays into rotoscope animation (Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly). Hawke is joined by a stellar supporting cast including Margaret Qualley, Andrew Scott and Bobby Cannavale in Linklater’s deft character study of a troubled genius.
Come See Me in the Good Light
Dir. Ryan White
Ryan White observes the love between two poets in the light of tragedy in a heart-wrenching documentary that won the Festival Favourite Award at Sundance and the Audience Award at Hot Docs. A powerful poet and inspiring activist, Andrea Gibson grapples with their mortality in the wake of an incurable cancer diagnosis. Be prepared to shed plenty of tears as Gibson’s inspiring outlook and gratitude for the love and beauty that we too-often take for granted makes for an unexpectedly life-affirming emotional rollercoaster. It is a privilege to bask in the love shared between Gibson and her partner, fellow poet Megan Falley, in what is also a deeply romantic observance of the power of love.
DJ Ahmet
Dir. Georgi M. Unkovski
The charmer of this year’s festival is a feel-good, toe-tapping ode to dreaming. Set in a remote Macedonian village where tradition and technology are (often comically) at odds, DJ Ahmet sees a 15-year-old farm boy’s isolated world expand when he is introduced to the thrills of techno music and first love. Tightly realised by its first-time director and bolstered by an endearing cast of newcomers, DJ Ahmet is a hilarious and heartfelt work that is a guaranteed mood-lifter for MIFF audiences.
DJ Ahmet is screening in ACMI Cinemas on Fri 22 Aug, 3.30pm.
Eddington
Dir. Ari Aster
No one is safe in Ari Aster’s pandemic-set western, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal as rival candidates in the midwestern town of Eddington’s upcoming election. Both stars are well-cast as self-interested leaders (each despicable in their own way) attempting to guide their town through a speedrun of very 2020 moments. Featuring Aster’s most accomplished direction yet (including a third-act sequence for the ages), Eddington further mints Aster’s auteur as he effectively works beyond the framework of the horror genre for a true genre-blender. While sure to be divisive (as was Aster’s previous effort Beau is Afraid), it’s hard not to respect the provocateur’s willingness to cash in his blank cheques on the kind of big-swing films that would risk landing a less-adept filmmaker in director jail. Like it or not, Eddington is sure to spark as many fiery post-screening-foyer-discussions as any film at this year’s festival.
Eddington is screening at MIFF in non-ACMI venues on Sat 9 Aug, 6.15pm & Sun 10 Aug, 12.45pm.
Happyend
Dir. Neo Sora
Neo Sora (Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus) directs a coming-of-age surveillance drama for his first narrative feature. Set in near-future Tokyo, Happyend sees a high school impose extreme surveillance measures on its students following two students’ prank on the principal. As a friend group deals with the fallout, paired with their impending graduation, their relationship to one another is put to the test. An assured debut with a strong visual identity, Happyend is buoyed by the impressive chemistry of its group of young leads who convincingly depict the complexities of friendship groups on the verge of adulthood.
Happyend is screening in ACMI Cinemas on Fri 15 Aug, 10am & Thu 21 Aug, 12.30pm.
Late Shift
Dir. Petra Volpe
Leonie Benesch delivers a powerhouse performance in Petra Volpe’s heart-pumping medical drama. Taking place over the course of a single, action-packed night, Late Shift follows an overworked nurse (Benesch) as she battles to survive an understaffed shift in her high-pressure hospital. Anxiety-inducing in its form and stakes, Late Shift sees Benesch stake her claim as one of the greatest working actors in a film that relies on her titanic performance, ala The Teachers’ Lounge. Its original German title translating to ‘heroine’ could not be more appropriate as Volpe’s film serves as a thank-you letter to the high-pressure, selfless and often thankless work that frontline medical professionals carry out.
Late Shift is screening in ACMI Cinemas on Tue 19 Aug, 3.30pm
Lesbian Space Princess
Dir. Leela Varghese & Emma Hough Hobbs
An animated coming-of-age story for the ages, you’ve never seen anything quite like Lesbian Space Princess. The directorial debut from Adelaide duo Leela Varghese & Emma Hough Hobbs, Lesbian Space Princess follows introverted space princess Saira in her quest to save her kidnapped ex-girlfriend Kiki from a group of incels known as the Straight White Maliens (hilariously voiced by local legends Aunty Donna). Lesbian Space Princess is a contender for the highest laughs-per-minute of any of this year’s MIFF picks as its writer-director duo pack in a gaylaxy’s worth of jokes at lightspeed, including several visual gags that are not easily forgotten. Lesbian Space Princess was honoured with the Teddy Award - the oldest queer film award in the world - at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.
Lesbian Space Princess is screening in ACMI Cinemas on Sun 17 Aug, 7pm & Sat 23 Aug, 11.30pm.
Lurker
Dir. Alex Russell
A stylish modern-age thriller that interrogates modern celebrity, cultural currency and parasocial relationships, Lurker is a twisted tale of friendship for the internet age. Following a young retail employee who weaves his way into the life of popstar Oliver and refuses to let go, Lurker is a brilliant debut from Alex Russell (producer of The Bear and Beef). Archie Madekwe is brilliant as Oliver, with the the young actor’s charisma, swagger and impressive vocals making him wholly believable as the exciting music star he portrays - a feat rarely achieved on the big screen. Taking cues from the parasite-driven, homo-erotic scripts of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Saltburn and applying them to the modern music industry, Lurker’s cunning ways are sure to lurk in audiences’ subconsciousness long after its credits roll.
Lurker is screening at MIFF in non-ACMI venues on Sat 9 Aug, 8.45pm & Wed 13 Aug, 9.30pm.
Sirât
Dir. Oliver Laxe
A father and his son travel from rave-to-rave in the Moroccan desert in search of a missing daughter in Oliver Laxe’s Sirât. What begins as a seemingly linear narrative adventure soon descends into a psychedelic nightmare as the danger-ridden vastness of the desert begins to take its toll on those who dare to explore it. A stunning showcase of sound design, Sirât’s bone-rattling techno score pushes cinema sound systems to the brink while precise direction from Laxe sets up countless visually arresting moments in the stunning but sinister Moroccan desert. Destined for cult status, Sirât will be a hard beat for the most anxiety-inducing film of the year with its unforgettable climax as visceral as any film scene in recent history.
Sorry, Baby
Dir. Eva Victor
Eva Victor announces their star in a major way with Sundance hit Sorry, Baby. Balancing triple-duties as writer, director and star of their feature debut, the charismatic comedian’s indie comedy-drama follows them as Agnes, a young literature professor in rural New England, as they process their trauma following a horrible incident. Victor is commanding as Agnes, sharing palpable chemistry with equally brilliant co-stars Naomi Ackie and A24 darling Lucas Hedges. Fans of Greta Gerwig will be drawn by Victor’s idiosyncratic personality traits, witty conversational dialogue and a an aptitude for deftly lacing comedic elements across a heavy story. The way that Victor observes the lingering effects of trauma across the non-linear narrative of Sorry, Baby is hauntingly effective and demonstrates screen chops that figure them as one of indie film’s most exciting voices. Don’t miss your chance to get in on the ground floor before Victor’s stock inevitably skyrockets.
Twinless
Dir. James Sweeney
Dylan O’Brien shines in dual roles in James Sweeney’s deliciously twisted queer genre-blender. After meeting in a twin bereavement group, Roman (O’Brien) and Dennis (Sweeney) develop an unlikely relationship as they grieve the loss of their twins. However, things become complicated when it is revealed that Dennis is not exactly who he claims to be. Stylish, thrilling, hilarious and touching, Twinless is hard not to be won over by. Do not miss your chance to see it with a full crowd and revel in its subversive nature.
Twinless is screening in ACMI Cinemas on Sun 17 Aug, 6.45pm.
An important point to remember is that each film at the festival has been hand-picked by MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar and his programming team, and every title has been selected for a reason. So, while everyone’s cinematic palettes vary, audiences can be confident that every film screening at MIFF is worth seeing for any range of reasons. With that said, take a chance on the unknown! Many of the best cinematic experiences are born from discovering an unexpected gem that becomes an all-time favourite. Who knows? That film you’re going into blind may just feature your new favourite actor or be directed by your new favourite filmmaker!
See you at the movies!