The Chicago International Film Festival always brings some of the best that cinema has to offer to this city that is so rooted in film history. Even though its 62nd year has come & gone, the films that were shown over the eleven days will stay with filmgoers for a lifetime. For those that did attend screenings over mid-October, you already know how hard it was to find your way in. For those of you who didn’t get into any auditoriums, here are five movies you should keep on your radar as the year is wrapping up.
(Disclaimer: So many fantastic movies were shown throughout the film festival. More than we can cover here! Check out www.chicagofilmfestival.com to see everything that was screened!)
Finding Your Laughter
A still from the film Finding Your Laughter
Photo Credit: Brittany Alsot
Arlieta Hall, with co-director Brittany Alsot, won the Chicago Award at the 62nd Annual Chicago Film Festival for her work on this film that documents her caregiving for her father Marvin, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While Arlieta may not be alone in assisting her father, the documentary showcases how she leans on comedy to find love & laughter in the face of the tragic circumstances within the disease in her home.
Trash Mountain
A still from Trash Mountain
Photo Credit: Zach Abbs
Directed by Chicago native Kris Rey, Trash Mountain is a dram-edy co-written & starring comedian Caleb Hearon as a man who has to return to his hometown in rural Missouri after the sudden passing of his father. Hearon leads a cast that also features Zooey Deschanel, Jacki Weaver, Jaboukie Young-White & Kyle Marvin. If you are a fan of Caleb Hearon’s comedy, this is surely one to look out for. Trash Mountain features a ton of heart & laughs and also has some recognizable locations for Chicago natives!
Ana, the Cleaner
A still from the film Ana, the Cleaner
Photo Credit: Guy Bauer
A Ukrainian housecleaner, who is obsessed with true crime podcasts, thinks she’s uncovered a crime of her own after one of her clients disappears. Any fan of that genre believes they can solve a mystery if they were presented with it, but what if it actually happened? Screenwriter Katie L. Fetting & director Guy Bauer tackle a genre & subject matter all too popular at the moment and gives viewers a little something new to chew on in this Chicago-set film. No headphones required for this one!
Mouse
A still from the film Mouse
Photo Credit: Nate Hurtsellers and Luke Dyra
While the film may be set in Arkansas, Mouse is helmed by the Chicago-based directing duo of Alex Thompson & Kelly O’Sullivan. This coming-of-age film is led by actors Sophie Okonedo & Katherine Mallen-Kupferer and tackles some subject matter that is far too close to home for some, but is handled with such care & compassion that it may leave you a bit teary-eyed. The festival honored Thompson & O’Sullivan for their direction, while Okonedo received a special tribute for her work in this film & Clarissa.
The Dreamed Adventure
A still from the film The Dreamed Adventure
Photo Credit: Valeska Grisebach
This year’s winner of the Chicago International Film Festival’s Gold Hugo (the festival’s top prize) goes to The Dreamed Adventure. The Bulgarian mystery thriller follows the story of a woman who seeks to find a friend after they go mysteriously missing. While reconnecting with her roots, she discovers that her community may not have been exactly how she had known it to be. This film stars Yana Radeva, who won the prize for Best Lead Performance by the festival jury. The Dreamed Adventure has also been named as the Bulgarian selection for Best International Feature for this upcoming Academy Awards.
