Cinematic Celebrations: Remembering the Best Festival Film Premieres
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Lights, Camera, Action! Film Festivals are grand celebrations of cinema, where the greatest films of the year are revealed to the world, and the buzz created by these cinematic creations spreads like wildfire. From Cannes to Sundance, the glitz and glamour of these events are visually stunning, with many of the top-tier directors, actors, and influencers showcasing their fashion taste too. These festivals also reveal untold and challenging narratives, heard for the first time. It can change the way you think, view, or see things for the rest of your life. In this blog, we are going to take you down memory lane, remembering some of the best festival film premieres to ever grace the big screen.
Sundance: “Whiplash”
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Sundance has always been an excellent platform for independent cinema, with its relaxed and idyllic charm, and the fact it is student-friendly, and therefore most people can meet potential collaborators, agents, and supporters to help with their films. In 2014, Sundance was privy to the premiere of Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash”, a film about a teenage jazz drummer at a prestigious music school, who is relentlessly pushed to his limits by a demanding instructor. The film went on to win three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Editing, and Best Film Editing, all deservedly so. The music and energy in “Whiplash” made Sundance lit up with excitement.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): “Joker”
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TIFF has a reputation for having a strong lineup of films. In 2019, the buzz around the festival was all about Todd Philips’ R-rated take on the iconic DC Comics character, “Joker”. Joaquin Phoenix played the character with such intensity, that he won Best Actor won at the Oscars. The whole film was a big event before it was even released, as some critics and potential viewers had negative assumptions about the film’s portrayal of the Joker. But after its screening, the standing ovation and applause caused major and intense buzz around the film, and it opened to critical acclaim.
Cannes: “Parasite”
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Cannes always sets the bar high for filmmakers looking to make a name for themselves. In 2019, Bong Joon Ho premiered “Parasite,” which would go on to become a critically acclaimed box-office sensation and the recipient of four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Film. It was the first South Korean film to ever receive the Palme d’Or (the top prize at Cannes). This dark comedy about the class struggle between a wealthy family and their poor counterparts took the festival by storm, with critics hailing it as a masterpiece, and it received a 7-minute standing ovation.
Venice International Film Festival: “J’Accuse”
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Venice International Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in the world, with a legacy of upholding the highest cinematic standards. In 2019, Roman Polanski premiered his film “J’Accuse,” which chronicles the true story of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French army who was falsely accused of treason. The film was received relatively positively, with some people walking out during the premiere. But what shattered the festival was the controversy that arose after the screening, as it became known that Polanski was a convicted sex offender. This incident sparked debates about whether the film should be watched or boycotted since it’s directed by someone who has been accused of serious offenses against women.
Film Festivals are super-exciting events that showcase and celebrate the best films produced from around the world. It brings people who love cinema together and creates an opportunity for everyone to witness legendary moments happen before their eyes. These premieres are just a few of the major ones that are embedded in history, lives, and our own abilities to recognize an Oscar-worthy film.
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