Given the current recommendation to stay home and practice social distancing, we at the Chicago International Film Festival are looking at past selections from each year of the Festival that you can stream now from home. Stream our past selections as we look forward to the 56th Chicago International Film Festival this October 14-25, 2020. Find the full 56 Films for 56 Years selections here.

Today’s #56Films entry, recommended by RogerEbert.com‘s Brian Tallerico, is the debut film from Oscar-winner Tom McCarthy, a nuanced character study following three strangers who meet outside a decrepit train depot, which screened at the 39th Chicago International Film Festival.

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THE STATION AGENT

Director: Tom McCarthy
39th Chicago International Film Festival

Three lonely souls meet outside a decrepit train depot in Tom McCarthy’s The Station Agent, which had its Chicago premiere at the 39th Chicago International Film Festival in 2003. This nuanced character study introduced the world to McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, and Peter Dinklage, while also taking Patricia Clarkson’s career to another level. Consider how much this gentle, subtle film impacted the landscape by setting Dinklage and McCarthy off on progressions that would lead to Emmys and Oscars. A subtle examination of how seemingly different people can find commonality through genuine kindness was really just the start of a long career track for everyone involved. – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

Streaming Details:
The Station Agent is streaming now on HBO or available for digital rental.