In just over two months, film fans will once again flock to Austin, Texas for the 2017 SXSW Film Festival, and news came today that visionary filmmaker Terrence Malick will open the event with the world premiere of his latest film, Song to Song.
In addition, the highly anticipated Starz adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods will premiere at the festival, with stars Ricky Whittle and Ian McShane expected to be in attendance.
We’ll be on hand for opening weekend once again, so stay tuned for more information about SXSW soon. For now, you can check out the full press release below.
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST ANNOUNCES TERRENCE MALICK’S
SONG TO SONG TO OPEN SXSW FILM FESTIVAL 2017Early Fest Highlights include American Gods, Small Town Crime and Signature Move
Austin, Texas, January 5, 2017 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals (March 10-19, 2017) announced the World Premiere of celebrated director Terrence Malick’s Song To Song as its Opening Night Film to screen on Friday March 10th, 2017.
SXSW also divulged select titles to premiere at the 2017 event, showcasing the diverse range of styles that together embody the unique spirit of SXSW culture. Festival highlights announced today include Eshom and Ian Nelms’ hybrid action thriller with dark humor, Small Town Crime, Jeff Malmberg and Chris Shellen’s lyrical portrait of a tiny hill town in Tuscany, Spettacolo, second feature after their award-winning Marwencol; first time filmmaker Jennifer Reeder’s coming-of-age Muslim melodrama Signature Move starring Fawzia Mirza, and Latin American phenomenon René Pérez Joglar’s chronicle of his global exploration of his genetic roots in Residente.
In our highly successful Episodic section we will be featuring the world premiere of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, directed by David Slade. The first of many projects in SXSW Film’s new VR/AR strand is Viacom NEXT’s The Melody of Dust, an invitation inside the tortured mind of an artist.
“Terrence Malick is a world class revered cinematic poet. His work is a treasure trove of talented actors and vision. Set in the Austin music scene, Song to Song couldn’t be a more perfect Opening Night film for SXSW,” said Janet Pierson, Director of Film. “While these titles are just a taste of what SXSW 2017 will offer, they reflect the range of work we are known for, from newcomers and auteurs to pop entertainment in traditional cinema, episodics and now VR.”
The complete film festival lineup will be announced Tuesday, January 31st, with the exception of Midnighter features, which will be revealed with the Short Film and VR Program on Tuesday, February 7th.
The 2017 SXSW Film Festival will feature:
American Gods (World Premiere)
Director: David Slade, Screenwriters/Showrunners: Bryan Fuller, Michael Green
Adapted from Neil Gaiman’s award-winning novel, American Gods follows Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) and Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) in a magical world where a battle is brewing between the Old Gods and the New Gods.The Melody of Dust (World Premiere)
Director: Viacom NEXT
A musical journey for the HTC Vive. Explore a mysterious world where every object contains a unique melody. Featuring original musical compositions by Hot Sugar, this experience brings you inside the tortured mind of a musician.Residente (World Premiere)
Director: René Pérez Joglar
After taking a DNA test, Latin America’s most decorated artist – Rene Perez (AKA Residente), embarks on a global adventure, to trace the footsteps of his ancestors and record his latest album.
Signature Move (World Premiere)
Director: Jennifer Reeder, Screenwriters: Fawzia Mirza, Lisa Donato
A secret new romance with Alma forces Zaynab to confront her complicated relationship with her recently widowed mother. In this coming-of-age Muslim melodrama, Zaynab copes by taking up Lucha-style wrestling.
Cast: Fawzia Mirza, Shabana Azmi, Sari Sanchez, Audrey Francis, Charin Alvarez, Mark Hood, Molly BrennanSmall Town Crime (World Premiere)
Directors/Screenwriters: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
Ex-cop, Mike Kendall, finds the body of a young woman and, in an act of self-redemption, becomes hellbent on finding the killer. While his uncouth, quirky detective style helps break the case, his dogged determination puts his family in danger.
Cast: John Hawkes, Anthony Anderson, Octavia Spencer, Robert Forster, Clifton Collins, Jr.
Song To Song (World Premiere)
Director: Terrence Malick
In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples — struggling songwriters Faye and BV, and music mogul Cook and the waitress whom he ensnares — chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.
Cast: Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Natalie PortmanSpettacolo (World Premiere)
Directors: Jeff Malmberg, Chris Shellen, Screenwriter: Chris Shellen
For the past 50 years, the villagers of a tiny hill town in Tuscany have turned their lives into a play that the entire town writes and performs. “Spettacolo” is a portrait of this tradition through the eyes of the last man trying to keep it alive.
