Home Movies

SXSW Announces 2014 Features Lineup

The South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) has announced their 2014 features lineup today and I must say, I'm kind of on the fence in regards to how I feel about it. On one hand, there's a ton of really exciting films playing here, like The Raid 2, Bad Words, Only Lovers Left Alive, Frank and a couple others. But on the other hand, a lot of these have already been screened at previous festivals. Although, I suppose when it comes to SXSW that's usually the case. If you want premieres you usually need to go to TIFF and Cannes.

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Recommended Videos

The 78 Project Movie

Director: Alex Steyermark

The 78 Project is a journey to connect today’s musicians with the recordings of the past. Using a 1930’s Presto recorder, artists get one take to cut a 78rpm record anywhere, finding in that adventure a new connection to our shared cultural legacy. (World Premiere)

AMERICAN INTERIOR (Wales)

Directors: Dylan Goch, Gruff Rhys

Two men. Two quests. Two centuries apart. Four ways to experience the search for a lost tribe. Film. Book. Album . App. (World Premiere)

The Case of the Three Sided Dream

Director: Adam Kahan

The documentary film on the life and legacy of Rahsaan Roland Kirk – a one of a kind musician, personality, activist and windmill slayer who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices – did not relent. (World Premiere)

Deep City

Directors: Dennis Scholl, Marlon Johnson

Deep City is an inspirational story that explores the early days of soul music in South Florida, the pioneers of that era and their lasting contributions to the broader American musical landscape. (World Premiere)

God Help the Girl (UK)

Director/Screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch

An indie musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian about two girls and a boy and the music they made one Glasgow summer.

Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett

JOHNNY WINTER: DOWN & DIRTY

Director: Greg Olliver

A down & dirty documentary on the life and career of blues legend Johnny Winter, featuring Edgar Winter, James Cotton, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Luther Nallie, Tommy Shannon, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and more. (World Premiere)

Leave The World Behind (UK)

Director: Christian Larson

A documentary following the break-up of Swedish House Mafia and their subsequent One Last Tour. A rare look at the electronic scene, amazing live footage and the psychological drama of 3 guys who walked away from everything to save their friendship. (World Premiere)

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton (This Is Stones Throw Records)

Director: Jeff Broadway

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton is a feature-length documentary about avant-garde Los Angeles-based record label Stones Throw Records.

Que Caramba es la Vida (Germany)

Director: Doris Dörrie

In the macho world of Mariachi music, very few women can hold their own. Just like the songs they play, this film is a snapshot of life, death and the things in between – seen from a bird’s-eye perspective. (World Premiere)

Road To Austin

Director: Gary Fortin

Road To Austin, chronicles how Austin, Texas became the Live Music Capital of the World, dating from 1835 to present day. The film builds to a climax and weaves its way towards an all-star live performance led by Stephen Bruton and his 14-piece band. (World Premiere)

Rubber Soul

Director/Screenwriter: Jon Lefkovitz

Rubber Soul reconstructs portions of two historical interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono based on available transcripts and audio, juxtaposing them in order to explore the dynamic nature of Lennon’s identity over time.

Cast: Joseph Bearor, Denice Lee, Dillon Porter, Andrew Perez (World Premiere)

Sheffield: Sex City (UK)

Director: Florian Habicht

Dylan said ‘Don’t Look Back’ – but what happens if you do? (World Premiere)

Soul Boys of the Western World (UK)

Director: George Hencken

A voyage through the heart of the 80s with one of the decade’s most iconic bands, Spandau Ballet, this archive-only film tells the story of a group of working-class London lads who created a global music Empire, but at a price none of them imagined. (World Premiere)

SVDDXNLY

Director: David Laven

SVDDXNLY uncovers the young life and career of A$AP Rocky and the A$AP Mob, from humble Harlem beginnings to their rapid rise to fame. (World Premiere)

Take Me to the River

Director: Martin Shore

Take Me to the River is a film about the soul of American music. The film follows the recording of a new album featuring legends from Stax records and Memphis mentoring and passing on their musical magic to stars and artists of today. (World Premiere)

The Winding Stream

Director: Beth Harrington

The Winding Stream is the story of the American music dynasty, the Carters and Cashes, and their decades-long influence on popular music. (World Premiere

 

SXGLOBAL 

The Desert (Argentina)

Director: Christoph Behl

The failed story of a love triangle in a post-apocalyptic world. 

Cast: Victoria Almeida, William Prociuk, Lautaro Delgado (North American Premiere)

For Those in Peril (UK)

Director/Screenwriter: Paul Wright

In a remote Scottish town, a young man is the lone survivor of a strange fishing accident that claimed the lives of 5 men. Spurred on by sea-going folklore, the village blames him for this tragedy, making him an outcast amongst his own people. 

Cast: George Mackay, Michael Smiley, Nichola Burley, Kate Dickie (North American Premiere)

The Special Need (Germany / Italy / Austria)

Director: Carlo Zoratti

Searching for “the first time” Alex, Carlo and their autistic friend Enea find a lot more than they were looking for… (North American Premiere)

Ukraine Is Not A Brothel (Australia)

Director: Kitty Green

A feature documentary that reveals the truth behind Ukraine’s topless feminist sensation, ‘Femen’.

Wetlands (Germany)

Director: David F. Wnendt, Screenwriters: Claus Falkenberg, David F. Wnendt

18-year-old Helen has her very own view on life, hygiene and good sex. she loves to shock people with unexpected and un-girly behavior.

Cast: Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski, Meret Becker, Marlen Kruse, Peri Baumeister

A Wolf at the Door (Brazil)

Director/Screenwriter: Fernando Coimbra

A nerve-rattling tale of a kidnapped child and the distraught parents left behind that captures the darkness that ensues when panic breeds suspicion and love turns to hate.

Cast: Milhelm Cortaz, Leandra Leal, Fabiula Nascimento (U.S. Premiere)

 

FESTIVAL FAVORITES

Bad Words

Director: Jason Bateman, Screenwriter: Andrew Dodge

Jason Bateman’s feature directorial debut is the subversive comedy Bad Words. Bateman stars as Guy, who finds a loophole in the rules of a national spelling bee and causes trouble by hijacking the competition.

Cast: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Philip Baker Hall, Allison Janney

Boyhood

Director/Screenwriter: Richard Linklater

One family’s journey shot over the course of 12 years.

Cast: Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater 

The Case Against 8

Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White

A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Dog

Directors: Allison Berg, Frank Keraudren

An astonishing documentary portrait of the late John Wojtowicz, whose attempted robbery of a Brooklyn bank to finance his male lover’s sex-reassignment surgery was the real-life inspiration for the classic Al Pacino film Dog Day Afternoon.

For No Good Reason (England)

Director: Charlie Paul

Johnny Depp pays a call on his friend and hero Ralph Steadman and we take off on a high-spirited, raging and kaleidoscopic journey discovering the life and works of one of the most distinctive radical artists of the last 50 years.

Frank

Director: Lenny Abrahamson, Screenwriters: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan

Frank is a comedy about a young wannabe musician, Jon, who discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew when he joins a band of eccentric musicians led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank and his terrifying sidekick, Clara.

Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender, Scoot McNairy, Carla Azar

Hellion

Director/Screenwriter: Kat Candler

When 13-year-old Jacob’s delinquent behavior results in the authorities placing his little brother Wes with their aunt, he and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home.

Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars

The Internet’s Own Boy:  The Story of Aaron Swartz

Director: Brian Knappenberger

The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, from the development of RSS and Reddit to his groundbreaking work in political organizing and the tragic taking of his own life at the age of 26.

JIMI: All Is By My Side

Director/Screenwriter: John Ridley

Covering a year in Hendrix’s life from 1966-67, the film presents an intimate portrait of the sensitive young musician on the verge of becoming a rock legend. 

Cast: Andre Benjamin, Hayley Atwell, Imogen Poots, Ruth Negga, Adrian Lester (U.S. Premiere)

Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter

Director/Screenwriter: David Zellner, Screenwriter: Nathan Zellner

A lonely Japanese woman abandons her structured life in Tokyo to seek a satchel of money rumored to be hidden in the Minnesota wilderness. 

Cast: Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Shirley Venard

No No: A Dockumentary

Director: Jeffrey Radice

In the 1970s Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD and courted conflict and controversy, but his latter years were spent helping others recover from addiction. No No: A Dockumentary weaves a surprising story of a life in and out of the spotlight.

*SXsports screening

Obvious Child

Director/Screenwriter: Gillian Robespierre

Obvious Child is an unapologetically honest comedy about what happens when 27 year‑old Brooklyn stand-up comedian Donna Stern (Jenny Slate) gets dumped, fired and pregnant just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, Gabe Liedman, David Cross

Only Lovers Left Alive

Director/Screenwriter: Jim Jarmusch

A story centered on two vampires who have been in love for centuries. 

Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, Anton Yelchin

Ping Pong Summer

Director/Screenwriter: Michael Tully

Coming soon…Summer 1985. 

Cast: Susan Sarandon, John Hannah, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, Robert Longstreet

The Raid 2

Director/Screenwriter: Gareth Evans

Picking up from right where the first film ends, The Raid 2 follows Rama as he goes undercover and infiltrates the ranks of a ruthless Jakarta crime syndicate in order to protect his family and uncover the corruption in the police force.

Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadwo

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

All American High: Revisited

Director: Keva Rosenfeld

All American High: Revisited is a time capsule of teen life in the 1980s, a long-lost documentary that captures an unforgettable era through the eyes of those who lived it.

Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater (France / Portugal / US)

Director: Gabe Klinger

A documentary portrait of the friendship between the renowned filmmakers James Benning and Richard Linklater. (U.S. Premiere)

GODZILLA: THE JAPANESE ORIGINAL (Japan)

Director: Ishiro Honda, Screenwriters: Takeo Murata, Ishiro Honda

The 1954 classic that inspired the modern monster movie (national re-release from Rialto Pictures in April). Q&A with Gareth Edwards, director of the summer 2014 film Godzilla, from Warner Bros Pictures and Legendary Pictures. Cast: Takashi Shimura, Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi

The Grand Budapest Hotel – Extended Q&A with Wes Anderson

Director/Screenwriter: Wes Anderson

The Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars; and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.  The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting; a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis; and the sweetest confection of a love affair – all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, 

Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, 

Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – 40th Anniversary Screening

Director/Screenwriter: Tobe Hooper, Screenwriter: Kim Henkel

An idyllic summer afternoon becomes a terrifying nightmare for five young friends after they stumble upon the home of a depraved Texas clan.

Cast: Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen