New York Film Festival unveils main slate

Whiplash, Life Of Riley and Mr. Turner among highlights.

by Amber Wilkinson

Miles Teller in Whiplash
Miles Teller in Whiplash Photo: Daniel McFadden

New films by Asia Argento, Olivier Assayas and Pedro Costa have been announced as part of the main slate of this year's New York Film Festival.

It has already been announced that the 52nd edition - which runs from September 26 to October 12 will open with David Fincher's Gone Girl, close with Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's Birdman Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance and feature Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice as its centrepiece gala.

Highlights include Sundance Dramatic Competition and Audience winner Whiplash, directed by Damian Chazelle, Berlin Silver Bear winner Life Of Riley, by the late Alain Resnais and Mike Leigh's artist biopic Mr. Turner.

New York Film Festival director and selection committee chair, Kent Jones said: “Sometimes the sheer breadth of cinema amazes me. In this year’s lineup, we have great big films alongside films made on the most intimate scale, personal epics and intricately constructed chamber pieces, films of great serenity and films that leave you dazed, first films and last films, all equally vivid, alive, and essential. Taken altogether, this year’s Main Slate reminds me, all over again, why I love the cinema so much, and it will do the same for you.”

Mr. Turner
Mr. Turner

Other Cannes award winners to be shown this year include, Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders, the winner of the 2014 Grand Prix; Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, for which he was named Best Director; David Cronenberg’s Maps To The Stars, for which Julianne Moore won the prize for Best Actress, and Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, which saw Timothy Spall named Best Actor.

Jean-Luc Godard’s Goodbye To Language, his first feature in 3D, will screen at NYFF following the festival's retrospective of his work last year.

Other returning filmmakers include Olivier Assayas with Clouds of Sils Maria, Pedro Costa with Horse Money and Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne with Two Days, One Night.

Executive sirector of the Film Society of Lincoln Center Lesli Klainberg said: “The Film Society is very proud to continue our commitment to present the years most significant films from around the world at our latest edition of the New York Film Festival. With films from festival veterans and newcomers alike, the NYFF continues to be a home to a wide range of film styles and perspectives. You will not be disappointed with the breathtaking range of films curated by our selection committee.”

You can read reviews of films at the festival and details of the full main slate here, plus we'll be bringing you news and features from the festival itself in September.

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