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When life feels like a ton of bricks weighing down upon a bowing back, stories are the one thing you an count on to transport you away from it all and make things feel less heavy, more full of life.
It’s even better when you can experience the films in the (hopefully) quiet dark of a cinema with reality shut away outside and only a consummate narrative, vibrant characterisation and enrapturing visuals to keep you happily company for a few hours.
It’s bliss, and it’s a bliss likely to be enhanced by these five films which offer some rich storytelling indeed and a chance to remember how expansive and imaginatively possible this sometimes limiting world of ours can be.
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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The lights are going down and the orchestra is tuning up — it’s almost time for Maestro to take the stage. Bradley Cooper’s Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Mulligan). A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love. Maestro is directed by American actor / producer / filmmaker Bradley Cooper, directing his second feature film after 2018’s A Star Is Born previously; he also produced War Dogs, A Star Is Born, Joker, Nightmare Alley, Weathering. The screenplay is written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer. Produced by Martin Scorsese, Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning, Kristie Macosko Krieger. (courtesy First Showing)
Maestro will premiere at the Venice Film Festival in early September with limited cinema release in November prior to streaming release on Netflix.
(courtesy IMDb (c) Prime Video)
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Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream. A Million Miles Away is directed by Mexican writer / filmmaker Alejandra Márquez Abella, director of the films The Good Girls and Northern Skies Over Empty Space previously, plus a few episodes of Narcos: Mexico and short films. The screenplay is written by Bettina Gilois and Hernán Jiménez and Alejandra Márquez Abella. Produced by Mark Ciardi and Campbell G. McInnes. (courtesy First Showing)
A Million Miles Away premieres on Prime Video on 15 September.
(courtesy IMDb)
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In New Zealand, 1981, Josh Waaka is a 17-year-old square peg in the round, rugby-obsessed hole that is St Gilbert’s College. Meanwhile, the Springboks rugby team, representing Apartheid-era South Africa, are touring New Zealand, sparking nationwide protests and dividing the country. Josh’s newfound passion for acting, as well as a greater awareness of his Māori heritage, sends him tumbling headlong into conflict where he is forced to either conform or stand up for himself, his whānau (family) and his future. Uproar is the funny and heartwarming story of a young man’s battle to find his true voice, set against the volatile backdrop of New Zealand’s fight for its national identity. Uproar is co-directed by NZ filmmakers Hamish Bennett (director of Bellbird and shorts) & Paul Middleditch (director of Terra Nova, A Cold Summer, Separation City, Rapture-Palooza). The screenplay is written by Paul Middleditch, Keith Aberdein, Sonia Whiteman. Produced by Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi, and Angela Cudd. (courtesy First Showing)
Uproar premieres at the Toronto Film Festival in September; no release dates available yet.
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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Tender caresses and enveloping embraces are portals into the life of Mack, a Black woman in Mississippi. Winding through the anticipation, love, and heartbreak she experiences from childhood to adulthood, the expressionist journey is an ode to connection — with loved ones and with place. (Sundance) All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is both written and directed by American photographer / filmmaker Raven Jackson, making her feature directorial debut after a few other short films previously. Produced by Maria Altamirano, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, and Adele Romanski. (courtesy First Showing)
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2023 with limited release later in 2023.
(courtesy IMP AWARDS)
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From director Yorgos Lanthimos & producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale & fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant & unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation. Poor Things is directed by acclaimed Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, director of the movies My Best Friend, Kinetta, Dogtooth, Alps, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and The Favourite most recently. The screenplay is written by Tony McNamara, adapted from the novel by Alasdair Gray. Produced by Ed Guiney, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrew Lowe, Emma Stone. (courtesy First Showing)
Poor Things opens in the US in select cinemas on 8 September.