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Miami Film Festival GEMS: A showcase of cinematic brilliance
A diverse lineup of films and talents
The 11th edition of the Miami Film Festival GEMS is set to dazzle audiences from October 30 to November 3. This year’s event promises to be the most expansive and diverse yet, featuring over 30 prestigious titles spanning animation, episodic content, documentaries, retrospectives, and narrative epics. Lauren Cohen, the director of programming, expressed her excitement, noting the inclusion of works from cinematic titans like Pedro Almodóvar, Alfonso Cuarón, Brady Corbet, Mike Leigh, Pablo Larraín, Steve McQueen, and Andrea Arnold.
James Woolley, the festival’s executive director, highlighted the significance of GEMS as a precursor to the main Miami Film Festival in April. He emphasized the festival’s role in showcasing award-season contenders and expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming extraordinary talents such as Alfonso Cuarón, actor Sebastian Stan, and renowned costume designer Arianne Phillips.
Opening night: Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door”
The festival will kick off on October 30 with Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door. This Sony Pictures Classics film stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as Ingrid and Martha, respectively. The story follows their reunion after years of separation, exploring their past as close friends and colleagues at a magazine. Ingrid, now an autofiction novelist, and Martha, a war reporter, find themselves in an extreme yet strangely sweet situation.
France’s Oscar submission: “Emilia Pérez”
Another highlight of the festival is Emilia Pérez, France’s official submission for the Best International Feature at the Academy Awards. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film tells the story of four remarkable women in Mexico, each on a quest for happiness. The narrative centers on Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón), a fearsome cartel leader who enlists the help of Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer, to fake her death and live authentically as her true self. The film also stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez.
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in “Maria”
Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, features Angelina Jolie as the iconic soprano Maria Callas. The film delves into Callas’s life as she retreats to Paris after a tumultuous and glamorous career. It reimagines her final days, exploring her identity and legacy as one of the 20th century’s most celebrated performers.
Centerpiece screening: “The Brutalist”
A24’s The Brutalist, written and directed by Brady Corbet, will serve as the festival’s centerpiece screening. The film follows visionary architect László Toth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) as they flee post-war Europe in 1947. Their journey to rebuild their legacy in America is profoundly impacted by a mysterious and wealthy client. The film, which will be screened in its original 70mm format, also stars Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, and Isaach De Bankolé.
Honoring Arianne Phillips
Costume designer Arianne Phillips will be honored with the Precious Gem Award. Phillips’ recent credits include “Joker 2: Folie a Deux” directed by Todd Phillips and James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown” starring Timothée Chalamet. Her contributions to the film industry have been widely recognized, making her a deserving recipient of this accolade.
Closing night: Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain”
The festival will conclude on November 3 with Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain, directed, written by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg. The film follows mismatched cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they embark on a tour through Poland to honor their grandmother. Their journey becomes complicated as old tensions resurface while they explore their family history.
Special marathon: Alfonso Cuarón’s “Disclaimer”
In addition to the film screenings, the festival will host a marathon of Alfonso Cuarón’s new Apple TV+ show Disclaimer. The screenings will be accompanied by a conversation with Cuarón, who will be presented with the Precious Gem Award. “Disclaimer” follows acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett) as she uncovers the misdeeds and transgressions of others.
For more information on ticket sales and the complete GEMS 2024 lineup, visit Miami Film Festival.
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