The world is our oyster when it comes to cinematic offerings.
There are films everywhere all of a sudden, then result no doubt of a pandemic bottleneck which, while not totally freed, is far more open than it was, allowing us to once more disappear into worlds far away and very close, into stories that are funny, heartfelt and deeply human and with visuals that elevate already rich narratives.
Movies have it all and thankfully we have a lot to choose from, whether in cinemas or via streaming, so grab your popcorn, settle into your seat and kiss reality, well, your version of it anyway, goodbye for a couple of hours …
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A bitingly funny coming-of-age story of a teenage cartoonist who rejects the comforts of his suburban life in a misguided quest for soul, Funny Pages is both written and directed by young American filmmaker Owen Kline, making his feature directorial debut after a few other short films previously. It’s produced by Sebastian Bear-McClard, Oscar Boyson, Ronald Bronstein, David Duque-Estrada, and also fellow directors Benny Safdie & Josh Safdie. This initially premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival this summer playing in the Directors’ Fortnight section … (courtesy First Showing)
Funny Pages opens 26 August 2022 in a limited season.
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The year? 1290. In the Medieval English village of Stonebridge, Lady Catherine (known as Birdy) is the youngest child of Lord Rollo and the Lady Aislinn. Her playground is Stonebridge Manor, a house that, like the family, has seen better days. Financially destitute and utterly greedy, Rollo sees his daughter as his path out of financial ruin by marrying her off to a wealthy man for money and land. But Birdy, like all the great teen heroines, is spirited, clever and adventurous – and ready to put off any suitor that comes calling in increasingly ingenious ways. Her imagination, defiance and deep belief in her own right to independence put her on a collision course with her parents. When the most vile suitor of all arrives, they are presented with the ultimate test of love for their daughter. Catherine Called Birdy is both written and directed by American actress / writer / filmmaker Lena Dunham, director of the indie films Creative Nonfiction, Tiny Furniture, and this year’s Sharp Stick previously, as well as the Girls series on HBO and Industry. Based on the novel of the same name by Karen Cushman. This is premiering at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival this fall. (courtesy First Showing)
Catherine Called Birdy opens in limited season on 23 September before released for streaming on 7 October via Prime Video.
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The Good House follows Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver), a wry New England realtor and descendant of the Salem witches, who loves her wine and her secrets. Her compartmentalized life begins to unravel as she rekindles a romance with her old high-school flame, Frank Getchell (Kevin Kline), and soon becomes dangerously entwined in one person’s reckless behavior. Igniting long-buried emotions and family secrets, Hildy is propelled toward a reckoning with the one person she’s been avoiding for decades: herself. The Good House is co-directed by the filmmakers Maya Forbes (of Infinitely Polar Bear and The Polka King previously) & Wallace Wolodarsky (of Coldblooded, Sorority Boys, and Seeing Other People previously), making their first feature film together. The screenplay is written by Thomas Bezucha and Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky; adapted from Ann Leary’s novel of the same name. This initially premiered at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival last year, and it also played at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. (courtesy First Showing)
The Good House opens in USA on 30 September 2022.