We’ve already covered two of the nation’s biggest film festivals this year, but we aren’t done yet! As the old saying goes, there’s no place like home, so we’re thrilled to be spending the next few days hanging out at the 2017 Phoenix Film Festival.
With over 175 screenings in 8 days, the Phoenix Film Festival is guaranteed to have a little something for everyone. And while we couldn’t possible check out everything, here are eight films that we’re hoping to catch over the course of the next week.
The Hero
Directed by Brett Haley
Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte (Laura Prepon), and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.
Brave New Jersey
Directed by Jody Lambert
A comedy about a small town on the night of Orson Welles’s legendary, 1938 “War of the Worlds” radio hoax, which terrified millions into believing Martians were invading America. As the citizens of Lullaby, NJ face what they think is their last night on Earth, their lives will change forever. An alien invasion movie where the aliens never show up.
Gold Star
Directed by Victoria Negri
After dropping out of Juilliard, Vicki drifts aimlessly between her family’s house in Connecticut and an itinerant existence in New York. When her father suffers a debilitating stroke, she has to become his primary caretaker. Vicki resists connecting with him, and making peace with herself, but finds a way forward thanks to a new friend and a life-changing event.
The Midnighters
Directed by Julian Fort
An aging ex-con struggles to adapt to the outside world after many years in prison—and begins to build a relationship with the grown son he never knew.
The Lost City of Z
Directed by James Grey
Based on author David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller, The Lost City of Z tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as “savages,” the determined Fawcett — supported by his devoted wife, son and aide-de-camp returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925.
Unnerved
Directed by Gary King
Whatever killed their son continues to haunt Mallory and Frank no matter where they go. While hiding out at a remote lake house, Mallory struggles to keep her sanity and save her marriage as the supernatural activity grows. At their breaking point, they elicit the help of a clairvoyant to help end the terror. But will it be too late?
Painless
Directed by Jordan Horowitz
Born with a rare condition that leaves him alienated and unable to feel physical pain, Henry Long becomes obsessed with finding a cure. A need for normalcy leads him down a dark path where he must decide if finding a cure is worth paying the ultimate price.
Tommy’s Honour
Directed by Jason Connery
Based on the powerfully moving true story of the challenging relationship between “Old” Tom and “Young” Tommy Morris, the dynamic father-son team who ushered in the modern game of golf. As their fame grew exponentially, Tom and Tommy, Scotland’s Golf Royalty, were touched by drama and personal tragedy. At first matching his father’s success, Tommy’s talent and fame grew to outshine his father’s accomplishments and respect as founder of the Open Championship in 1860 with a series of his own triumphs. But in contrast to Tommy’s public persona, his personal turmoil ultimately led him to rebel against both the aristocracy who gave him opportunity and the parents who shunned his passionate relationship with his wife.
The 2017 Phoenix Film Festival runs from April 6-13th. Check out phoenixfilmfestival.com for the full schedule of events.