Film festivals have always been a way to test the waters for films to an eager audience. Whether it’s a blockbuster looking to build hype or an indie project looking for distribution, film festivals are never lacking in original and impressive art. Now, put up-and-coming films with up-and-coming musicians and drop them in the most eclectic city in the state, and you’ll get SXSW.
South By SouthWest is just like its weird native city with a significant music district, knowledgeable film scene and new yet booming tech industry. Their music festival brings together rising talent in many alternative genres but we’re gonna be focusing on the film festival in this. Debuting many movies that ring a bell like, “Spring Breakers,” “A Quiet Place,” “Furious 7,” “Evil Dead Rise” and “Ready Player One” just to name a diverse few. If you like movies, TV shows, music and the culture of Austin you’ll enjoy your time!
Now, as a three-year SXSW veteran and Austinite I shall tell you about my favorite movies I witnessed this year!
Monkey Man
To start off with the biggest movies of the festival, “Monkey Man” was the action-packed experience we only hear about once a decade. Directed, produced and starring THE Dev Patel, he put his blood, sweat and tears into the project (like actually he broke multiple bones). This masterfully crafted three-act story is inspired by the Hindi story of Hanuman in the Ramayana, a legend often told to him by his grandfather.
We follow Dev’s character as he climbs his way through the caste systems of India seeking revenge. I haven’t watched an action movie with a story arc as fulfilling since Marvel. The cinematography is incredible and puts you inside of the hectic atmosphere. Visually it’s very John Wick meets Kingsman in my eyes. It brings the stories of multiple characters and marginalized communities to the forefront in a breathtaking way along with the set design, coloring and sound is jaw-dropping.
The fight scenes are brutal in the best way! A major standing ovation was given, seeing him succeed in such a massive way was emotional, it’s what he deserves.
The Fall Guy
Speaking of action movies with incredible stunts, “The Fall Guy!” Starring everyone’s favorite Ken, Ryan Gosling, as well as Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Stephanie Hsu. We were introduced to this stunning cast with a pre-show of motorcycle flips, tricks and a ginormous monster truck carrying the stars. Following Colt Seavers, a stunt man who had a terrible accident on set resulting in him leaving the industry for some time makes a return as a favor to an old fling.
Yet, nothing can be tame and sensible in the film industry because he gets wrapped up in illegal activities. The movie is just a chaotic ordeal that’s well-paced with a great plot and performances that are fun, clever with everyone’s character standing out.
Y2K
Now, when people see the term “Y2K” their first thought is the colorful and confident fashion aesthetic that the biggest celebs of the early 2000s wore. However, the abbreviation originally described the technological terror that was entering into a new century.
A24’s newest feature film is about two best friends in their junior year of high school crashing a New Year’s Eve party but nothing is easy in high school and things go rogue. We follow one of the “It” leading survivors Jaeden Martell, “Deadpool”’s pyro-mutant Julian Dennison as well as our latest “Hunger Games” tribute Rachel Zelger. This movie is tied for my top two from the festival this year.
I spoke to Martell about this film, he told me how this type of comedy is new to him and that he is a little nervous to pull it off. It’s ridiculously funny and nostalgic with humor that the self-proclaimed ’90s kids and cravers of the past would enjoy.
It’s vintage in a way we haven’t seen or really understood before since this event is to my understanding, millennial’s 2012. If you enjoy the film festival’s sleeper hit from last year, “Bottoms,” you’ll enjoy the couple of raunchy jokes in this film.
Dìdi (弟弟)
The film that I anticipated the most was Sean Wang’s “Dìdi (弟弟).” From Focus Features, it follows an adolescent boy the summer before entering high school as he navigates growing up, his sister leaving for college, being a first-generation American and having a typical social life.
I’m a sucker for a coming-of-age story and in recent years the majority of the stories are about girls and women. This is one of few stories about a young boy’s struggles through adolescence that has come out in many years.
Based on Wang’s own upbringing in the Bay Area, he opens this hidden door of teenage boy thoughts and feelings that is rarely seen on screen.
If you know anything about the A24’s “Close,” it’s similarly insightful. I can talk about the beauty of this film for days. 10/10 recommend.
Honorable Mentions
The first honorable mention goes to Julio Quintana’s “The Long Game” which I saw during spring break of last year. Based on a true story, it follows five teenage caddies from South Texas in the 1950s who get roped into becoming a golf team, playing against white country clubs and becoming the San Felipe Mustangs. Starring Houston native, Dennis Quaid and a talented Latino cast including Jay Hernandez from DC’s “Suicide Squad,” Gregory Diaz IV from “In The Heights” and Julian Works from “911: Lone Star” to name a few. The entire cast and crew are brilliant and passionate. I interviewed them and talked a bit about it in an episode of CoogTV’s Noticiero Cougar. If you’re like me and are a sucker for a coming-of-age film, like elements of sports, and enjoyed “McFarland” I’d recommend seeing it.
The second honorable mention is to “Arcadian,” once again starring Jaeden Martell along with Nicholas Cage and Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space.” Cage and his twins live on a wiped-out version of Earth where the daytime is calm but once the sun is gone your guard is up due to beasts with a constant craving for living creatures. After the head of the household nearly croaks it’s up to his boys to use their acquired survival skills to keep them alive.
I didn’t get the chance to watch the film but did get to speak to the director, Ben Brewer, who led VFX on SXSW’s 2022 headliner “Everything Everywhere All At Once” or even and directed Justin Beiber’s “Where Are U Now.” We spoke about how at its core the movie is about family, you could say “coming-of-age during an apocalypse.” Martell also gave me a couple of his thoughts about his second feature, we talked about this being his first action film and the fight sequences being fun to learn, and choreograph, a lot like dancing.
Honestly, I love a good movie marathon and going to your local film festival is the best way to get a more worthwhile movie-going experience. From movie fanatics to industry professionals, even those just looking for a spring break story, SXSW is the perfect festival to attend in the center of our Lone Star state.
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