The Teacher
Beware of comrade teacher, though she looks harmless enough with her kewpie-doll perm and brown button eyes. But there’s no confidence she won’t betray, no boundary she’ll respect.
Film-Forward
The Nile Hilton Incident
Casablanca stands in for Cairo—and makes a compelling star. The story takes place in the days leading up to the Arab Spring in January 2011, and the city throbs with discontent.
Strange Weather
Holly Hunter, in a major star turn, tries to elevate this paint-by-numbers tale into a moving canvas rich with heart and good intentions.
Beatriz at Dinner/Sami Blood
Two movies take on the concept of privilege from the outsider’s point of view in very different ways and epochs.
Open Roads: New Italian Cinema 2017
A rich cross section of Italian film that reflects contemporary malaise and timeless human dilemmas.
Graduation
Graduation skillfully genre-hops, with forays into kitchen-sink drama, morality play, and even psychological thriller.
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2017
In this year's festival, women directors display a great range of talent here, tackling everything from comedies to tight thrillers.
The Brand New Testament
Exploring other worlds, this film inhabits a Terry Gilliam or Michel Gondry zone with a wide-open heart and a supple spring in its step.