It's film festival time again. On Thursday, August 30 we have the New Zealand International Film Festival launch with our opening film Disobedience.
After the death of her father (a revered rabbi), Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns home and rekindles a relationship that could rip the orderly Jewish community apart. Described by The Hollywood Reporter as "A transfixing consideration of love, faith, sexuality and freedom" and with a star-studded cast, this looks set to make a great opening film for the festival launch.
In keeping with the nature of film festivals, there's something for everyone's taste and we're really pleased to have three films focused on art this year. Kusama – Infinity tells the story of Yayoi Kusama who left Japan for New York in the 1960s. Famous for polka dot covered scenes, Kusama was subject to racism and sexism yet "routinely copied by male contemporaries such as Andy Warhol".
The Price of Everything explores commercial realities of art. Following the build up to a major Sotheby's auction, this documentary looks at artists who have mastered the marketplace, auction house experts, and an artist who is trying to get back 'on the scene'. This one will be a must see for me!
Our closing film, Petra, follows a young painter's journey to discover her father. Petra visits Jaume's estate in Catalan, Spain, where he works on his grand-scale sculptural works. With dead bodies, plot twists, a villain and spectacular scenery this film looks set to be a feast for both eyes and mind.
