Overlooked Films and Oscar Nominees
14th Annual Film Festival
Stratford Library
April 18-22nd
The Stratford Library will present its14th annual film festival of little-seen movies, “Great Movies You Missed”, beginning Monday, April 18th through Friday, April 22nd. The program is a continuation of the library’s specialized film series, which attracts over 1,000 patrons annually. The series is free and open to the public.
“Great Movies You Missed” will highlight five recent, critically acclaimed films that – for whatever reason – did not reach a wide audience during their general release. The festival, which includes three recent Oscar nominees, will feature film critic Tom Holehan from the Connecticut Critics Circle for commentary prior to the screenings. The complete schedule for “Great Movies You Missed” is:
April 18th: “Tick, Tick…Boom!”: Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut with this fine adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the late creator of “Rent”. The film follows Jon (Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield), a young theater composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have? 115 minutes, Rated PG-13.
April 19th: “Mass”: Years after an unspeakable tragedy tore their lives apart; two sets of parents (Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton, Reed Birney and Ann Dowd) agree to talk privately in an attempt to move forward. In Fran Kranz’ writing and directing debut, he thoughtfully examines their journey of grief, anger and acceptance by coming face-to-face with the ones who have been left behind. The acting is simply extraordinary. 110 minutes, Rated PG-13.
April 20th: “Drive My Car”: Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke, a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of “Uncle Vanya” at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki, a taciturn young woman assigned to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife. Forced to confront painful truths raised from his past, Yusuke begins — with the help of his driver — to face the mysteries his wife left behind. “Drive My Car” is a haunting road movie traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance and peace. Winner of the Oscar for “Best International Film”. 179 minutes, Rated R.
April 21st: “The Tragedy of Macbeth”: Joel Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, a tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning. A visual tour de force in stunning black and white, the film stars Denzel Washington, in an Oscar-nominated performance, and Frances McDormand as the driven Lady Macbeth. 105 minutes, Rated R.
April 22nd: Passing”: In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white. Debuting director/writer Rebecca adapted Nella Larsen’s classic novel and leads an impressive cast (Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson) handling thorny themes with impressive dexterity. 98 minutes, Rated PG:13.
All movies will be shown uncut and in widescreen format at 12 noon each day. The film festival, recommended for adult audiences, will be held in the library’s Lovell Room.
For further information, call the Stratford Library’s Public Relations and Programming Office at 203.385.4162 or check its updated website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org
Photo Caption: “Drive My Car”, winner of this year’s Academy Award as “Best International Film”, will be screened as part of the “Great Movies You Missed” festival at the Stratford Library on April 20th at 12 noon. For further information: 203.385.4162
