Every year, a narrative takes shape as to what will be the must-sees. You can usually tell by what is going to Telluride and Venice. This year, it’s a little wobblier. No film seems to stand out at the present time.
Yes, “Bardo” is going to Telluride and Venice, but it’s skipping Toronto.
Yes, “White Noise” is going to Venice and New York, but it’s skipping Toronto and Telluride.
That’s the same story for other films hitting the festival circuit this year. In fact, there might not be a film that hits all four of the main festivals like previous years (Nomadland, Marriage Story, Power of the Dog, Roma). It all feels rather chaotic right now.
Will we even have a film doing the big three (Venice/Telluride/Toronto)? This year that’s a major question mark, the only one that might is Todd Field’s “TAR,” but I’m not really sure what’s going on with its rumored TIFF bow (studio getting cold feet?)
Venice rejected “The Wonder” and “Empire of Light.” Telluride declined “White Noise,” “The Whale” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” “The Fabelmans” was, curiously, only shown to TIFF.
Obviously, once Venice gets under way then we’ll be able to scratch off the ones that aren’t well-received. However, as far as now goes, I have my sights set on the following films:
TAR, Bardo, The Fabelmans, The Whale, Women Talking, White Noise, Empire of Light, Blonde, The Wonder, The Master Gardener, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Bones & All.
As it stands, the above are the hot 12. There will be surprises, but if we had to zero in on the essentials then these are all of them. Maybe Laura Poitras’ “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” can also make some noise. However, realistically speaking, and if I were a betting man, “Tar,” “Bardo,” and “Women Talking” seem like the natural frontrunners.
This year, I’ll only be going to TIFF, no Venice or Telluride, but I hope to watch as many of these as possible.
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