Resnais Leading NYFF ‘09; Almodovar, von Trier, Breillat, Solondz, Denis & More

A scene from Alain Resnais' "Wild Grass."

Alain Resnais’ new film, “Wild Grass” (Les Herbes folles), recently acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, will open the 2009 New York Film Festival on September 25, 2009. Produced by Jean-Louis Livi, the film premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where Resnais received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award. The filmmaker is a veteran of the fest, his new movie marking the tenth time he will screen a film at the New York Film Festival.

The festival will close with fest veteran Pedro Almodovar’s “Broken Embraces,” from this year’s Cannes Film Festival, on October 11, 2009 at Lincoln Center and feature Lee Daniels’ “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” which debuted at Sundance in January, as a centerpiece screening this year.

“Wild Grass” is based on French writer Christian Gailly’s 1996 novel “L’incident,” which tells the story of how a lost wallet opens the door to romantic adventure for its principal characters, George, played by veteran French actor Andre Dussollier and Marguerite, played by Sabine Azema, the film also showcases French stars Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos and Anne Consigny.

“I think this year’s slate is diverse, fresh and compelling”, said Richard Peña, Program Director of the Film Society and Chairman of the Selection Committee, in a statement today. “It’s been a great year for many directors who have already achieved acclaim and you can see that in some of the works of masters returning to the Festival. But the slate includes several exciting new voices, launching who we believe will become major new filmmakers that deserve world attention.” indieWIRE will have an interview with Peña later today.

A roster of acclaimed auteurs are on tap, once again, for this year’s New York Film Festival. Among the returning directors bringing new work to the event are Marco Bellocchio (Vincere), Catherine Breillat (Bluebeard), Claire Denis (White Material), Manoel de Oliveira, (Eccentricities of a Blonde), Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon), Jacques Rivette (36 Views of Saint-Loup Peak), Todd Solondz (Life During Wartime), Lars von Trier (Antichrist) and Andrzej Wajda (Sweet Rush). Filmmakers bringing work to the NYFF for the first time include Maren Ade (Everyone Else), Ilisa Barish and Lucien Castaing-Taylor (Sweetgrass), Zhao Dayong (Ghost Town), Samuel Maoz (Lebanon), Raya Martin (Independencia), Joao Pedro Rodrigues (To Die Like A Man) and Sabu (Kanikosen).

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Twenty-nine feature films from seventeen countries are among the core lineup for the annual festival, which features a nightly showcase of films at Lincoln Center. The Film Society of Lincoln Center, now under the leadership of new executive director Mara Manus, is highlighting the event’s return to Alice Tully Hall major renovation of the venue made it unavailable in recent years. indieWIRE will have an interview with Manus later today. —the complete lineup is available on page two— Loading ... Which film from the New York Film Festival are you most excited to see? "Wild Grass" by Alain Resnais "Precious" by Lee Daniels "Broken Embraces" by Pedro Almodóvar "Antichrist" by Lars von Trier "Life During Wartime" by Todd Solondz "Sweet Rush" by Andrzej Wajda "White Material" by Claire Denis "The White Ribbon" by Michael Haneke "Eccentricities of a Blonde" by Manoel de Olivera Read & React: Resnais Leading NYFF ‘09; Almodovar, von Trier, Breillat, Solondz, Denis & More Page 1 of 2 Next Login to recommend this article » posted on August 11, 2009 |Share Login to Leave a Comment »