Synopsis

Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

Synopsis

September 5 unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. Through this lens, September 5 provides a fresh perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by an estimated one billion people at the time.

At the heart of the story is Geoff (John Magaro), a young and ambitious producer striving to prove himself to his boss, the legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard). Together with German interpreter Marianne (Leonie Benesch) and his mentor Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Geoff unexpectedly takes the helm of the live coverage. As narratives shift, time ticks away, and conflicting rumors spread, with the hostages’ lives hanging in the balance, Geoff grapples with tough decisions while confronting his own moral compass.

Synopsis

As World War II raged around the globe, a professor from Eastern Europe and his 18-year-old bride created an oasis just across the Southern California border in Tecate, Mexico. It became known as Rancho La Puerta, a sanctuary for people from all over the world to come and learn about health and wellness. That 17-year-old girl, Deborah Szekely, is now 102 years old and is the living embodiment of everything the Ranch aspires to be and to teach. The Ranch and its sister property, The Golden Door in San Marcos, California, continue today to serve celebrities, royalty, and anyone in search of a healthier life. Szekely is considered the founder of the modern-day spa industry, the Godmother of Fitness, and this film explores her incredible life, along with the obstacles and triumphs of being a woman entrepreneur.

Synopsis

Audiences of all ages will enjoy these stories about companionship between characters navigating wild worlds. From fantastical to familial, this collection offers a colorful look into the push and pull of close camaraderie. Featuring works by Justine Aubert, Cassandra Bouton, Grégoire Callies, Maud Chesneau, Anna Danton, Loic Girault, Gatien Peyrude, Justine Raux, Sera Mun, Malin Neuman, Alex Weight, Shiqi Xiao, Ignas Meilūnas, Ruihan Zhang, Wenzi Shan, Xingyi Chen, Laurine Bocquet, Ilona Caucal, Inès Fechner, Jahnice Laurent, Sarah Robert, Emma Roussel, Kevin Vandenbeuck, and Clara Chan.

Without any dialogue, Shellfish (Coquille) (France) shows how a loss can lead to a gain when a hermit crab makes a new friend after losing his shell. Bouncing from one reality to the next, Hana undergoes a kaleidoscopic and kinetic adventure in This World Is a Soda Can We Are Shaking It (South Korea) after an explosion interrupts a music festival. A brave child and her loyal otter friend embark on a mission to save the girl’s hometown from a water crisis in the calm and inspiring Mû (Germany). Venturing into the heart of true friendship, Alone (Australia) follows a lonesome robot facing a tough decision after creating a companion for itself. In the spirit realm of Reunion (China), little Yuan Yuan falls into the hands of a powerful deity who offers to grant her greatest desire. When two friends spend a winter day ice skating on a lake, they encounter a surprise that teaches them to overcome their fears in the delightful Hoofs on Skates (Lithuania). When an old man mistakenly discards a precious memento, a faithful raccoon makes it his mission to return it in the innocent and heartfelt So Long Memories (China). A bunny facing his fear of the dark makes an otherworldly discovery in the enchanting and picturesque As the Sun Goes Down (France). And a heartfelt conversation between an immigrant mother and her daughter comes to life in the colorful and compassionate Have I Swallowed Your Dreams (Canada).

This screening is relaxed and family friendly. Young film enthusiasts are welcome and should feel free to talk or move about the space as needed. If you have questions email access@chicagofilmfestival.com.

Synopsis

This collection of uncanny and unhinged stories from around the world represent the growing global appetite for genre films. Full of inventive stories with stunning practical effects, this program will delight late night moviegoers of all stripes. Featuring works by Jake Myers, Marcus Anthony Thomas, Juefang Zhang, Tzuhsuan Peng, Suki-Rose, Cricket Arrison, Rodrigue Huart, Marinthia Gutiérrez, and Blake Simon.

A musician stuck in an office job tries the free kombucha that boosts his coworkers’ productivity, only to discover its sinister side effects in Kombucha! (United States). In Space Plug (United Kingdom), a baby is born into a mysterious white room in outer space. There, they grow up nourished by an extraterrestrial creature, but plagued by a desperate desire to break free. Where The Mountain Women Sing (Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States) blends documentary and found-footage narrative as two filmmakers attempt to capture a bloody shamanic ritual in Northeastern China. In Addiction (Taiwan), a policeman obsessively surveils a girl who owns a small store along a desolate road, unaware that he’s not the only hunter lurking in the area. In Chomp (United States), the relentless pace and high-stakes pressure of a bustling news studio creates the ideal environment for a new kind of monster to emerge. In Transylvanie (France), a newly transitioned vampire tries to transform a neighborhood boy into her eternal companion. But she’s underestimated the lengths it will take to prove her bloodthirsty identity. In She Stays (Ella se queda) (Mexico), Laura navigates a night out in downtown Tijuana, eagerly anticipating the moment her destiny will unfold. And Faces (United States) is a mind-bending portrayal of a shape-shifter’s use of appearances to lure in victims, showing that, at the center, they are only social disguises.