The Reel World: Adventure, adversity & anime
Put everything else on hold to lose yourself in one or all of the five latest award-winning additions to our international films. There are two Oscar winners, two Oscar nominees and a film with multiple wins from other film festivals. If you're concerned about not speaking the language, relax because all the films have English subtitles.
Anatomy of a Fall (French) Drama (2024)
Director: Justine Triet
Stars: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado Graner, Antoine Reinartz
Synopsis: "Grenoble, France. With eloquent lawyers nitpicking and hypothesising for hours in a nearly silent courtroom, unapologetically successful novelist Sandra Voyter stands accused of killing Samuel Maleski, her husband. As the impartial judge, the inscrutable jury, and the ruthless public prosecutor sift through the evidence, plausible theories invite new possibilities that accommodate even more interpretations of the steep, fatal fall.
"Sandra's grieving son, Daniel, has the right to know what happened. What led to Samuel's untimely demise? Was it a frigid emotional void or undeserved misfortune that decided his fate? Or was it a malicious human hand that claimed Dad's life?" –Nick Riganas
Awards: Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, nominated for 5 Oscar Awards, 112 wins and 178 nominations in other film festivals
Io Capitano (Wolof) - Drama (2023)
Director: Matteo Garrone
Stars: Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall
Synopsis: From the acclaimed director of Gomorrah and Dogman, Io Capitano narrates the epic journey of a teenage boy and his cousin as they decide to leave Senegal for the promise of Europe. Throughout this compelling odyssey, the young man confronts a myriad of challenges, from the harsh realities of the desert to the harrowing experiences in Libyan detention centers and the risks of the open sea. Filmed over 13 weeks in Senegal, Italy, and Morocco, with a cast of non-professional actors, this uplifting film ventures into the intricacies and contradictions of the human experience.
The main characters' aspirations, dreams and ambitions evolve into a gripping struggle for survival. The film reflects the indomitable spirit of those who dare to seek a better life. Io Capitano stands as a powerful exploration of human resilience, navigating the delicate balance between hope and the unforgiving realities of the world.
Awards: Nominated for the Best International Film at the Academy Awards and Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language at the Golden Globes. Winner of 33 film awards.
The Boy and the Heron (Japanese) - Anime (2023)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Luca Padovan, Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill
Synopsis: "After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito's new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself." – Grant S.
Awards: Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, nominated Motion Picture, Animated, Golden Globes, and 34 other film award wins
The Teachers' Lounge (German) - Drama (2024)
Director: Ilker Çatak
Stars: Leonie Benesch, Leonard Stettnisch, Eva Lobau, Michael Klammer, Rafael Stachowiak, Sarah Bauerett
Synopsis: Students from the 7th-grade class of the idealistic teacher Carla Nowak, a new transfer to the school, are pressured by other teachers to identify which of their classmates could be the most likely suspect for a series of thefts from the teachers' lounge. Carla encourages them to stay silent if they wish.
The other teachers pursue the issue and later force the male students in Carla's class to turn in their wallets for inspection. Upon discovering that a student of Turkish heritage, Ali, is carrying a lot of money, the teachers accuse him of theft. Ali's parents inform the teachers the money was Ali's allowance and accuse the teachers of racially profiling Ali.
Later, after witnessing a colleague steal money from the lounge's piggy bank, Carla decides to investigate the theft herself. She secretly records an unknown person in a distinctive blouse taking money from her wallet.
Awards: Oscar Nominated for Best International Feature Film, won 5 awards at the German Film Awards: Best Screen Play, Best Director, Outstanding Feature Film, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role & Best Editing
Yo Fausto (Spanish)- Drama (2021)
Director: Julio Berthely
Stars: Cesar Antulio, Carlos Aragon, Pablo Astiazaran
Synopsis: When Fausto flees to Barcelona following his mother's suicide attempt, he crosses paths with Carmen, a struggling model, igniting a passionate romance. However, when Carmen becomes pregnant, Fausto's return to Mexico brings a whirlwind of challenges including familial expectations, rocky relationships, his mother's health, and a life-altering medical diagnosis. This poignant tale navigates the complexities of love, family, and personal adversity.
Awards: Won Best Film at the Lleida Latin-American Film Festival
