The Mission
Synopsis
In 2018, a shocking event made headlines around the world: A young American missionary, John Chau, was killed while attempting to contact one of the world’s most isolated Indigenous peoples in the South Sentinel Island in the Bay of Bengal. Combining an amazing collection of archival videos with soul-searching interviews with his father, friends, and colleagues, this absorbing documentary recounts the complex journey of a well-meaning and passionate — though perhaps misguided — man.
From Emmy-winning co-directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss (Boys State) and Oscar-winning producer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire), The Mission digs deep into a host of profound issues. It interrogates the same kind of anthropological documentary that it draws from, and asks penetrating questions about the lines between faith and fanaticism, exploration and exploitation, and imagination and destruction.
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Film Credits
- Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Will Cohen, Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine
- Doug Bock Clark, Carolyn Bernstein
- Lightbox, Mile End Films
Sponsors
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Cynthia Stone Raskin
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The Nature of Love Simple comme Sylvain
Synopsis
Plenty of films have been made about adultery. But not many of them are rom-coms told from the perspective of the philandering woman. Sophia (Magalie Lépine Blondeau) is a philosophy professor whose relationship with nice guy Xavier (Francis-William Rhéaume) stimulates her mind — and that’s about it. Enter Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal), a simple handyman who excites Sophia in all the ways her partner cannot. How can she choose between these two very different men, each of whom satisfies her in distinct ways?
Writer-director Monia Chokri asks a provocative question — can sexual and intellectual gratification co-exist in the same relationship? — in this seductive, playful story about having it all.
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Film Credits
- Sylvain Corbeil, Nancy Grant, Nathanaël Karmitz, Elisha Karmitz
- Monia Chokri
- Pauline Gaillard
- André Turpin
- Magalie Lépine-Blondeau, Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Monia Chokri
- Emile Sornin
- Philippe Lombart
- Metafilms, MK Productions
Sponsors
Comedy Program Sponsor
Film Supporter
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The People’s Joker
Synopsis
Although it made headlines as a wildly parodic rebuke to corporate IP, The People’s Joker is also a surprisingly intimate and heartfelt film. Quadruple-hyphenate writer-director-effects artist Vera Drew stars as “Joker,” an alt-comedy clown in Gotham City whose journey towards self-actualization is facilitated by her pal The Penguin (Nathan Faustyn) and a vat of feminizing chemicals.
The People’s Joker originated online, with a call for musicians, actors, and filmmakers to contribute to a “queer coming-of-age film” set inside the Batman universe. More than 150 artists responded, and their contributions are woven into this madcap work of comedic resistance. With a supporting cast that includes SNL‘s Sarah Squirm and Tim & Eric regular David Liebe Hart, The People’s Joker is a brilliant take on the personal nature of fandom, a love letter to trans artists and trans creativity, and an uproarious comedy from an exciting new talent.
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Film Credits
- Joey Lyons, Vera Drew
- Bri LeRose, Vera Drew
- Vera Drew
- Nate Cornett
- Vera Drew, Lynn Downey, Kane Distler, Griffin Kramer, Nathan Faustyn, David Liebe Hart, Tim Heidecker, Ruin Carroll, Bob Odenkirk, Scott Aukerman, Trevor Drinkwater, Denali Winter, Bambi Bell, Dan Curry, Daniella Baker, Maria Bamford
- Justin Krol, Quinn Scharber, Ember Knight, Danni Rowan, Elias and the Error
- Brian Alkerton, Riccardo Maddalosso, Bee Frederickson, Leo Kovalik Jr., Joey Lyons
- Haunted Gay Ride Productions
- https://thepeoplesjoker.com
Sponsors
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Housekeeping for Beginners
Goran StolevskiNorth Macedonia, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo
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The Persian Version
Synopsis
Coming from two countries that are at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance. She embraces her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the ways she’s been defined by each of them. When her big, traditional family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila must confront both her own identity and long-held conflicts — as well as some surprising parallels — with her mother, Shireen.
Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comic dialogue, and vibrant dance numbers, The Persian Version delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music. Winning both the Audience Award and Screenwriting Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Maryam Keshavarz delivers a universal and timely story reflecting the Iranian and Iranian-American experience.
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Film Credits
- Anne Carey, Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, Maryam Keshavarz
- Maryam Keshavarz
- Abolfazl Talooni, Joanne Yarrow, A.C.E.
- André Jäger
- Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bijan Daneshmand, Bella Warda, Chiara Stella, Tom Byrne, Shervin Alenabi, Arty Froushan, Samuel Tehrani, Jerry Habibi, Reza Diako, Andrew Malik, Parmida Vand, Ash Goldeh
- Rostam Batmanglij
- Nyla Hazratjee, Amy Nauiokas
- Stage 6 Films, Marakesh Films, Archer Gray Production, AGX, A Bigger Boat
Sponsors
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The Promised Land Bastarden
Synopsis
In 18th-century Denmark, Ludvig Kahlen (played by a rugged, windswept Mads Mikkelsen) lives with purpose and determination. After retiring from the army, he hopes to curry favor with the Danish king by embarking on a quest to settle and cultivate the unforgiving Jutland. All previous attempts to tame the heath have ended in utter failure, and the soil is thought to be hostile to crops.The harsh natural conditions aren’t the only thing standing in Ludwig’s way, however, and he soon begins to butt heads with a local landowner who worries that the settlers’ successful harvest will diminish his own power and influence.
Majestic landscape photography is punctuated with bursts of thrilling action as The Promised Land’s characters careen towards bloody confrontation.
Screenings & Events
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Film Credits
- Louise Vesth
- Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel
- Oliviér Bugge Coutté
- Rasmus Videbæk
- Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Gustav Lindh, Kristine Kujath Thorp, Simon Bennebjerg
- Zentropa Entertainment
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