11 must-see flicks at this year’s NZIFF

It’s that time again cinephiles, the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) returns to Auckland from 14 July – 6 August, and to Wellington from 28 July – 13 August. You are really spoiled for choice with 21 of the films in the programme coming directly from this year’s Cannes Film Festival. As usual, we’ve chosen some corkers to help you narrow down what movies to add to your festival schedule. Due to the wonderful line up, we just couldn’t keep it to 10 so we’ve picked our top 11 must see’s at this years NZIFF.

6 Days
Directed by Toa Fraser

Kiwi filmmaker Toa Fraser showcases his action chops on the world stage with this true-story hostage thriller set in 1980s London. Starring Jamie Bell, Mark Strong and Abbie Cornish.

The Beguiled
Directed by Sofia Coppola

Colin Farrell plays a wounded Civil War mercenary under the care of a commune of young women, led by Nicole Kidman, in Sofia Coppola’s beautiful, feminist take on Don Siegel’s 1971 Southern Gothic psychodrama.

Brigsby Bear
Directed by Dave McCary

This weird and wonderful indie comedy stars Saturday Night Live’s Kyle Mooney as a man totally obsessed with a TV show about a bear saving the world. Also starring Greg Kinnear, Mark Hamill, Claire Danes.

A Ghost Story
Directed by David Lowery

A simple story told with the simplest means, A Ghost Story tracks the progress of a ghost who can’t let go of the woman he loved and the house they shared, evoking a profoundly moving sense of existential disquiet.

I Am Not Your Negro
Directed by Raoul Peck

This Oscar-nominated documentary draws an astonishing, challenging and utterly contemporary examination of race in the United States entirely from the writings and interview footage of civil rights icon James Baldwin.

It Comes at Night
Directed by Trey Edward Shults

In this nerve-shredding post-apocalyptic thriller plague stalks the land and water is scarce. Joel Edgerton, along with his wife and teenage son, fight for survival, barricaded into an abandoned lodge in the woods.

Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web
Directed by Annie Goldson

As Annie Goldson’s impressively detailed documentary clearly sets out the battle between Dotcom and the US Government and entertainment industry, it goes to the heart of ownership, privacy and piracy in the digital age.

My Year with Helen
Directed by Gaylene Preston

With unique access to high-ranking candidate Helen Clark, filmmaker Gaylene Preston casts a wry eye on proceedings as the United Nations chooses a new secretary general.

Spookers
Directed by Florian Habicht

In this funny and improbably charming documentary, Florian Habicht looks behind the curtain to show us the real lives of the frighteners at the infamous and hugely popular horror theme park at the old Kingseat Hospital. We loved his heartwarming documentary on UK Britpop sensation band Pulp and their enigmatic frontman Jarvis Cocker in Pulp: a Film about Life, Death & Supermarkets which screened at 2014’s NZIFF.

The Square
Directed by Ruben Östlund

Winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or, Ruben Östlund’s The Square is an astounding work of social satire centred on a Swedish art museum and a PR stunt that goes horribly wrong. Starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Terry Notary.

Top of the Lake: China Girl
Directed by Jane Campion, Ariel Kleiman

Join us for a very special screening of the much-anticipated new instalment of Jane Campion’s award-winning series, starring Elisabeth Moss, Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie and Nicole Kidman.

For the full programme visit nziff.co.nz.

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