Festival Tease: Explore the First 6 Titles

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Festival Tease

Take a peek into the movieverse with the first six 49th Seattle International Film Festival titles just announced including the Cannes Grand Jury Prize winner, the sensation that swept the Goya Awards, and a tribute to longtime SIFF Programmer Ruth Hayler.

Passes are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale to SIFF Members on April 26 and to the general public on April 27. The Festival takes place in person May 11–21 at venues across Seattle, followed by a week of select films streaming on the SIFF Channel May 22–28.

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And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine

Dir. Axel Danielson, Maximilien Van Aertryck, Sweden 2023

A meticulous dissection of image-making using a mind-boggling array of archival footage, this profound documentary traces the 200-plus-year history of the camera; how it has been embraced, and how it has been exploited. A 2022 SIFF New Works-in-Progress project and Sundance Special Jury Award-winning documentary.

- Sundance Film Festival 2023 (World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Vision)

The Beasts

Dir. Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Spain 2022

Set in a remote mountain village in Galicia, Spain, this potent thriller depicts the friction between a local powerbroker and a middle-aged French couple who have moved there to start a farming life.

The sensation that swept the Goya Awards (Spain’s Oscars), winning Best Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, and a host of others.

- San Sebastian 2022 (Audience Award, Best European Film)
- Tokyo 2022 (Grand Prize, Best Film)
- Goya Awards 2023 (Best Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Music, Sound)

The Blue Caftan

Dir. Maryam Touzani, Morocco 2022

In this remarkable story of love, longing, and acceptance, middle-aged couple Mina and Halim run a traditional caftan boutique in Morocco. When a handsome young apprentice joins the shop, Halim's desires are soon ignited.

Morocco’s Cannes prize-winner and Official Oscar submission is finally coming to Seattle.

- Cannes Film Festival 2022 (Fipresci Prize)
- Official Oscar Submission 2023 (Best International Feature)
- Chicago International Film Festival (Best Director)
- Valladolid International Film Festival (Best Actress)

Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia

Dir. Jean-Christophe Roger & Julien Chheng, France, Luxembourg 2022

Follow the adventures of Festival favorites Ernest & Celestine as they try their best to bring music and happiness back to the land of bears.

- Nominated for Best Animated Feature at France’s 48th César Awards.

The Eight Mountains

Dir. Felix Van Groeningen, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Italy 2022

Pietro is a boy from the city. Bruno is the last child of a forgotten mountain village. Over the years, Bruno remains faithful to his mountain, while Pietro is the one who comes and goes. As their destinies unfold, the two discover what it means to be true friends for life.

The 2022 Cannes Grand Jury Prize winner from the director of Broken Circle Breakdown.

- Cannes 2022 (Grand Jury Prize - co-winner)

Seven Samurai

Dir. Akira Kurosawa, Japan 1954
Saturday May 13

A sixteenth century farming village requests protection from the seven samurai against a horde of bandits who have warned they will return when the crops are ripe. A gripping three-hour ride from master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.

This screening is dedicated to the memory of longtime SIFF Programmer Ruth Hayler.

Date: March 14, 2023
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