Film Fest 919 is proud to announce that we’re bringing a series of awards contenders to The Drive-in at Carraway Village, many of which will be followed by previously recorded Q&A sessions.
The series kicks off Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. with The Mauritanian, directed by Kevin Macdonald. Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Zachary Levi, Shailene Woodley and Benedict Cumberbatch star. A Q&A with Macdonald, Foster, Rahim and their real-life counterparts, Nancy Hollander and Mohamedou Ould Slahi.
The Mauritanian is inspired by the true story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years, based on his NY Times best-selling memoir “Guantanamo Diary.” Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.
Here’s the rest of the schedule, along with details for each film:
Wed., Feb. 10, 7:00 p.m.: EMPEROR, followed by a Q&A
Directed by Mark Amin
Starring Dayo Okeniyi, James Cromwell, Bruce Dern, Mykelti Williamson
Inspired by the true legend of Shields Green (Dayo Okeniyi) who, in 1859, escaped from a plantation and made a daring journey north where he met Frederick Douglass (Henry Lenix) and John Brown (James Cromwell). With the opportunity to continue to freedom in Canada, Green instead chose to fight to end slavery in the raid at Harper’s Ferry.
Following the film will be a pre-recorded Conversation with Dayo Okeniyi and James Cromwell, moderated by Scott Mantz.
Sun., Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m.: GUNDA, followed by a Q&A
PRESENTED BY GANGSTER VEGAN
Directed by Victor Kossakovsky
Experiential cinema in its purest form, GUNDA chronicles the unfiltered lives of a mother pig, a flock of chickens, and a herd of cows with masterful intimacy. Using stark, transcendent black and white cinematography and the farm’s ambient soundtrack, director Victor Kossakovsky invites the audience to slow down and experience life as his subjects do, taking in their world with a magical patience and an other-worldly perspective. GUNDA asks us to meditate on the mystery of animal consciousness and reckon with the role humanity plays in it. Executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix.
Following the film will be a pre-recorded Conversation with director Victor Kossakovsky and executive producer Joaquin Phoenix
Gangster Vegan Food Truck will be on-site for the evening.
Sun., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.: SOUND OF METAL, followed by a Q&A
Directed by Darius Marder
Starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
During a series of adrenaline-fueled one-night gigs, itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed) begins to experience intermittent hearing loss. When a specialist tells him his condition will rapidly worsen, he thinks his music career — and with it his life — is over. His bandmate and girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke) checks the recovering heroin addict into a secluded sober house for the deaf in hopes it will prevent a relapse and help him learn to adapt to his new situation. But after being welcomed into a community that accepts him just as he is, Ruben has to choose between his equilibrium and the drive to reclaim the life he once knew. Utilizing startling, innovative sound design techniques, director Darius Marder takes audiences inside Ruben’s experience to vividly recreate his journey into a rarely examined world.
Following the film will be a pre-recorded conversation with Darius Marder and Riz Ahmed.
Sun., Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m.: ON THE ROCKS
Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola
Starring Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans
Laura (Rashida Jones) thinks she’s happily hitched, but when her husband Dean (Marlon Wayans) starts logging late hours at the office with a new co-worker, Laura begins to fear the worst. She turns to the one man she suspects may have insight: her charming, impulsive father Felix (Bill Murray), who insists they investigate the situation. As the two begin prowling New York at night, careening from uptown parties to downtown hotspots, they discover at the heart of their journey lies their own relationship.
Sun., Mar. 7, 6:30 p.m.: WOLFWALKERS, followed by a Q&A
Directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart
Starring Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whitaker, Sean Bean, Simon McBurney
In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother,
Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the “Wolfwalkers” and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
In addition to The Contenders series, The Drive-In at Carraway Village will also be continuing its throwback films series throughout the month of February, with one notable change. Instead of Wednesday nights being Vintage Hollywood Night, we’ll be celebrating Black History Month each Wednesday.
Here are this month’s selections:
Black History Month
2/3: Dreamgirls
2/10: Emperor
2/17: Hidden Figures
2/24: TBD
Hitchcock Revival
2/4: Psycho
2/11: The Man Who Knew Too Much
2/18: The Birds
2/25: Stage Fright
Love on the Screen
2/5: Prince of Tides
2/12: Casablanca
2/19: Ghost
2/26: Sleepless in Seattle
Family Night at the Movies
2/6: School of Rock
2/13: Shrek
2/20: Gremlins
2/27: TBD
Tickets are now on sale for each show at http://www.carrawayvillagedrivein.com. Tickets are $12.90/person for General Admission; $10.75/person for kids 4-10 (incl. tax).
We hope to see you at the movies!
