The 58th New York Film Festival Officially Kicked Off With Steve McQueen’s “Lovers Rock”

Film at Lincoln Center announces Currents for the 58th New York Film Festival (September 17 – October 11). “Throughout its history the New York Film Festival has made room for work that challenges the cinematic status quo, from the thematic showcases of the early years to recurring programs like Views From the Avant-Garde and, most recently, Projections,” said Dennis Lim, NYFF Director of Programming. “Currents is the latest—and the largest—incarnation of this category of programming. It takes a bigger-tent approach to encompass different forms of experimentation and innovation, and it represents our belief that the most vital work in any art form is often to be found among its most daring risk-takers.

Earlier within the week, the 2020 incarnation of the New York Movie Pageant received underway formally, with one a part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology, Lovers Rock, serving because the Opening Evening Choice. Having seen it, the film serves as each a powerful begin for NYFF this 12 months, in addition to a smaller and much much less awards pleasant choice. That’s not a nasty factor, simply noteworthy. The movie is showcasing one thing far totally different than Oscar potential, and in a 12 months like this one, that’s in all probability for the very best. Nonetheless, it’s an attention-grabbing alternative (arguably much more so now, having been seen) for the 58th New York Movie Pageant.

The 58th New York Film Festival Officially Kicked Off With Steve McQueen’s “Lovers Rock” 

For those unaware, here’s a bit about the film from the official festival description: “Lovers Rock tells a fictional story of young love and music at a blues party in the early 1980s. Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn makes her screen debut opposite the BAFTAs 2020 Rising Star award recipient Micheal Ward (Top Boy). Shaniqua Okwok (Boys), Kedar Williams-Stirling (Sex Education), Ellis George (Doctor Who), Alexander James-Blake (Top Boy), Kadeem Ramsay (Blue Story) also star, as well as Francis Lovehall and Daniel Francis-Swaby, who make their screen debuts. Lovers Rock was co-written by Courttia Newland and Steve McQueen.”

Having seen the flick, I can attest to it being fairly good, representing a novel but in addition common have a look at younger love and dance events. A lot of McQueen’s fashion continues to be evident right here, simply with a little bit of a softer contact. Darkness looms close by, positive to be addressed within the different components of the Small Axe anthology (in actual fact, the opposite two installments enjoying at NYFF are far angrier and darker, tackling hatred and racism head on), however right here, the main target is on music and romance, giving it a really particular vibe. In some methods, it’s not what you’d count on from the filmmaker in any respect, however in different methods, it undoubtedly suits his explicit aesthetic. 

As a reminder, in terms of the Opening Night, this spot has recently become a bit of a launching pad for Oscar contenders, with well over a half dozen Best Picture nominees in the lot over the prior 20 years (though admittedly, this title is smaller scale than most of these below). As proof, here is what the Opener of NYFF has looked like in the past, updated to include this pick:

2020 – Lovers Rock
2019 – The Irishman
2018 – The Favourite
2017 – Last Flag Flying
2016 – 13th
2015 – The Walk
2014 – Captain Phillips
2013 – Gone Girl
2012 – Life of Pi
2011 – Carnage
2010 – The Social Network
2009 – Wild Grass
2008 – The Class
2007 – The Darjeeling Limited
2006 – The Queen
2005 – Good Night, and Good Luck
2004 – Look at Me
2003 – Mystic River
2002 – About Schmidt
2001 – Va Savoir
2000 – Dancer in the Dark