In addition to a ton of low-budget, independent, documentary, and dramatic films, this year’s South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival promises a rather flashy infusement of high-end studio fare, too! So while it’s always important to shed some attention on the little guys (which we’ll be doing soon enough), it’s also fun to note that SXSW will be offering high-end "gimme" titles like "V for Vendetta," "The Notorious Bettie Page," "American Dreamz," and the geekily-anticipated "Slither."
As a movie nerd who’s covered SXSW for several years now, I can honestly opine that it’s one helluva good time. The people are friendly, the weather is nice, the BBQ is astonshing, and the movies … well, the movies are pretty awesome. Have a sneak peek at some of what this fest has to offer:
A Prairie Home Companion
Dir: Robert Altman
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Garrison Keillor, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan, John C. Reilly, Virginia Madsen, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Maya Rudolph
An adaptation of the popular radio program by Garrison Keillor, featuring an all-star cast.
American Dreamz
Dir: Paul Weitz
Cast: Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid, Marcia Gay Harden, Mandy Moore, Willem Dafoe, Judy Greer, Chris Klein
A satire about American identity, set around a popular television singing contest called American Dreamz.
Even Money
Dir: Mark Rydell
Cast: Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, Nick Cannon, Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, Carla Gugino, Tim Roth, Jay Mohr
Gambling addiction bring the stories of three otherwise unconnected people together as it destroys each of their lives.
The Notorious Bettie Page
Dir: Mary Harron
Cast: Gretchen Mol, Lili Taylor, David Strathairn, Cara Seymour
The story of Bettie Page, uber-successful 1950’s pin-up model, one of the first sex icons in America, and the target of a Senate investigation.
Slither
Dir: James Gunn
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry
A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Dir: Kirby Dick
Featuring: Kevin Smith, John Waters, Matt Stone, Kimberly Peirce, Jamie Babbit, Atom Egoyan, Darren Aronofsky, Mary Harron
This documentary is a provocative investigation of the people, places, and decisions that constitute the movie ratings board.
Friends with Money
Dir: Nicole Holofcener
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Jason Isaacs, Timm Sharp, Joan Cusack, Frances McDormand, Scott Caan
A comedy/drama about how money, and the lack of it, affects and distorts relationships among a small group of Los Angeles friends.
District 13
Dir: Pierre Morel
Cast: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Tony D’Amario, Bibi Naceri
District 13 is a violent Paris slum that is so out-of-control that the authorities have constructed a giant wall around it, allowing the occupants to fight it out for themselves inside.
Hard Candy
Dir: David Slade
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Ellen Page, Sandra Oh
An online predator is taken captive by a resourceful young girl in this kinetic thriller.
V For Vendetta
Dir: James McTeigue
Cast: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, John Hurt, Rupert Graves
In the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, a man cloaked in mystery ignites a revolution and finds an unlikely ally in a seemingly mild mannered young woman.
…and that’s only ten of the 100+ titles on display. For a full rundown of the SXSW program, click right here and then try and figure out how many miles lie between you and Austin, Texas.
The South by Southwest Film Festival runs from March 10th – 19th, and you can certainly expect a few reports from the event next month.
