Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now announced its debut program this week, in conjunction with Palace Cinemas.
Screening in May the two-week festival will showcase the past present and future of American cinema, featuring a diverse program of films including feature-length works, documentaries and a retrospective on first films from a number of renowned independent filmmakers.
Festival Director Richard Sowada praised the cohesiveness of the festival’s lineup, deftly tracing the bold lineage of independent US cinema from its classics to its contemporary offerings.
“What’s so exciting to watch is the sense of energy, urgency and honesty – even in the older films right back to Shadows from John Cassavetes – there’s no holding back and there’s no compromise”, he said.
Highlights of the festival include The Fits, the stylish debut of director Anna Rose Holmer; Oren Moverman’s Time out of Mind, which will open the festival; and the debut works of acclaimed directors including Kathryn Bigelow, Joel Coen, Sofia Coppola and Jim Jarmusch.
Festival Dates:
Sydney: Tuesday 17 May to Wednesday 1 June
Melbourne: Wednesday 18 May to Wednesday 1 June
Brisbane and Canberra: Thursday 19 May to Wednesday 1 June
Adelaide: Thursday 26 May to Wednesday 8 June
View the full line-up on the Essential Independents website or to book tickets head to the Palace Cinemas website.
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