What to Watch at 2022 Atlanta Film Festival
Atlanta Film Festival, a project from the Atlanta Film Society, returns to a 46th edition for its second straight hybrid version of virtual and in-person screening. This industry acclaimed and Oscar-qualifying (for Best Animated, Documentary, and Narrative Shorts programs) festival is known for discovering unknown directors that will become big names in film such as Heidi Ewing (Jesus Camp), David Gordon Green (George Washington, Pineapple Express), Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), and Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing). The fest is also known for having more shorts (99) than features (29), as well as 27 creative media selections (e.g. music videos and virtual reality projects) to highlight the importance of having spaces for short-form and innovative works outside of feature films. As many features that are in the fest overlap with spring festivals such as SFFilm, Seattle, Hot Docs, Milwaukee, and Cleveland, here are some films that you should have the chance to experience in a theater or virtually before it goes to their next festival stop or wide release.
Marquee Films
892
Still from 892. Courtesy of Bleecker Street
Based on a true story, 892 is a heist thriller where former Marine Corps veteran Brian Brown-Eastley (played by the soaring and anxious John Boyega), who goes through PTSD, is on the verge of homelessness when the Department of Veteran Affairs suspiciously stops giving him his monthly disability checks. So he goes to a Wells Fargo bank with no other options and threatens them with a bomb threat for his one demand of his monthly disability check - $892. While the film falls through some conventions within the formulaic bank heist genre, the film stands out through director Abi Damaris Cohen and co-writer Kwame Kwei-Armah's nonlinear screenplay that puts the viewer in a claustrophobic tone as the majority of the film takes place inside the bank.
The writing also unveils the several systemic biases within different sectors (Police, Media, Department of Veteran Affairs, etc.) that all have a role in putting Brian in his circumstances. With dynamic shot transitions and a Sundance award-winning ensemble whose foils bounce off Brian's emotional arc that includes Connie Britton as a local reporter, Selenis Leyva (Orange Is the New Black) and Nicole Beharie (Miss Juneteenth) as the bank's employees, and the late Michael K. Williams (in one of his last roles) as a negotiating Sargeant, 892 puts the viewer at the edge of their seat in this heart-pounding feature. Bleecker Street will theatrically release 892 later this year.
Emily the Criminal
Still from Emily the Criminal. Courtesy of Roadshow Attractions and Vertical Entertainment
Emily the Criminal follows the eponymous protagonist (played by a spellbinding Aubrey Plaza) in getting out of debt. After going through menial jobs and not-so-good job interviews/inquiries set up by successful friend Liz (Megalyn Echikunwoke), Emily turns into the underground world of credit card scamming to make ends meet. Director John Patton Ford creates a contrasting visual atmosphere to portray Emily's different (private and public) lives. Aubrey Plaza reaches new horizons as Emily after being in the dark, comedic genre hybrids written and directed by her spouse Jeff Baena (Life After Beth, The Little Hours, Spin Me Round) and psychologically compelling characters in Legion and Ingrid Goes West.
In this movie, she relies on her dramatic energy to absorb her character's circumstances and not worry much about other emotional aspects of this crime drama. Emily steps into an environment of moving forward as she can't return once her employer Youcef (Theo Rossi), has her on record. Emily the Criminal is an enthralling odyssey of facing the cost of breaking even.Vertical Entertainment and Roadside Attractions will release the film later this year.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Still from Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Courtesy of A24
Marcel the Shell is the highly-anticipated feature adaptation that fans have longly waited for since Marcel's 2010 introduction. Finally, after three short mockumentaries and two children's books from its creators' director/co-writer Dean Fleischer-Camp and co-writer Jenny Slate, Marcel (Slate) returns to the big screen to find his roots and family in this surprise Telluride premiere. The film features its signature blend of stop motion animation and live-action backgrounds, where Dean unveils himself onscreen as the off-screen documentarian (assumingly) from the shorts, and reporter Lesley Stahl (in a pivotal cameo) interviewing Marcel and Dean.
The movie will include some shots with well-prepared cinematography of the animated characters and the camera moving simultaneously for its intended venue in the theater as the shorts had one of the two be stationary; intended for the internet. Slate retains the uncanny yet lovable charm in her reprise of Marcel, the one-eyed poignant, moving shell. With a familiar premise yet quotable dialogue from Marcel that can likely come from a fortune cookie, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will relieve the viewers' stress via Marcel's odd insights and provide a feel-good journey that people do not realize is the one they need. A24 will release the movie in theaters on June 24.
Documentary Features
The Balcony Movie
Still from The Balcony Movie. Courtesy of HBO Max
This award-winning festival circuit hit (Locarno, IDFA) explores the meaning of life, community, and humanity in its dramatic, idiosyncratic, and hilarious vignettes. Shot on the eponymous balcony of director Paweł Łoziński, the film follows Łoziński's quest of finding his hero through the variety of people he films in front of his balcony. While the film is composed of many similar visual setups, there are several characters, such as a recently released prisoner looking for a job, Łoziński's wife and dog, and an incoming mother that pop up once in a while that examine their relationship with either their need of the spotlight or Łoziński.
Each featured passerby provides various emotional elements to the human connection, whether it's an older person coming out, Poland citizens fighting against fascism on Poland's independence day, or Łoziński humorously getting a kid to elaborate their goals on camera. Lozinski doesn't lose his vision after each interaction and weaves through a simple yet profound journey of curiosity. The Balcony Movie is a minimalist slice of life that looks at one's perspective at their home pre-pandemic from spring to winter to resemble a year-long timeline of the movie. HBO Max will release the film later this year.
Daughter of a Lost Bird
Still from Daughter of a Lost Bird. Courtesy of Women Make Movies
Daughter of a Lost Bird explores producer Kendra Mylnechuk Potter reconnecting to her biological mother, April, and Lummi heritage after being adopted by a White family and the U.S. government's dislocation of generations of Indigenous families. A lost bird is a term to describe Indigenous children, adopted out of their tribal communities. The film dives into the personal and historical context of the separation and assimilation into White society through archival - historical and family - materials and how Kendra is one of many to be affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act (IWCA) and the Indian Adoption Project.
The film also navigates the friendship between Kendra and director Brooke Pepion Swaney (Blackfeet/Salish). They have different reasons for the reconciliation and Brooke questions how much or little she is forcing the event to happen as she doesn't understand how Kendra can live her life without knowing her heritage. In its 65 minutes, the film crafts Kendra's life-changing moment through its joyful, tearful moments of Kendra's discovery and an illuminating violin score from Laura Ortman that symbolizes a haunting past and a hopeful future. Associate produced by Sky Hopinka (Małni – Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore), Daughter of a Lost Bird demonstrates the significance of connecting to your identity and the ripple effects of the separation of Indigenous people. PBS will air the film as an episode of their America ReFramed series on May 5.
Outta the Muck
Still from Outta the Muck. Courtesy of ITVS
Co-directed by Bhawin Suchak and Ira McKinley, Outta the Muck observes Ira's return to his hometown Pahokee, FL, to reconnect with his family, community, and Pahokee's legacy of resilience and Black achievement. Pahokee is known for producing dozens of NFL players, but they do not come back there after going professional, as their absence makes Pahokee retain their economic status. Pahokee is known for being in documentaries such as Edward R. Murrow's Harvest of Shame and Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan's works The Send-Off, The Rabbit Hunt, and Pahokee. While Murrow was there for a meal ticket and subjected the people in his film, Bresnan and Lucas formed long-form relationships with the community before doing their nuanced docs, with Bresnan doing past volunteer work in Pahokee as some of his family members live near Pahokee.
Despite their acclaim for their docs, all three directors are not Pahokee natives and are not affected by what's happening in Pahokee as privileged White filmmakers. With Ira controlling the narrative, his introspection of Pahokee will not put him as the other and gives a vibrant love letter to the people that built Pahokee. Executive produced by Sam Pollard (Citizen Ashe, FBI/MLK), Outta the Muck presents the reasons for telling your story in your area and how you do not have to go to a more "mainstream" or populated city to make it in society. PBS will air the film as an episode of their Independent Lens series later this year.
Narrative Shorts
Clearing House
Still from Clearing House. Courtesy of Adam Long
Clearing House is a crime comedy that observes a con man (played by 2x Tony-award winner Norbert Leo Butz) posing as an accounting firm representative giving "the prize" that an elderly lady (Lynda Gravatt) supposedly won. However, he does not entirely convince her, and the backfire causes him to second-guess his motives. Executive produced by Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) and directed by Andy Long, this comedy of manners discovers the meaning of perception and true intentions behind people's actions. This short is making its world premiere at the fest.
Glitter Ain’t Gold
Still from Glitter Ain’t Gold. Courtesy of Christian Nolan Jones
Atlanta Film Festival alum Christian Nolan Jones (Brown with Blue) returns to the fest with his SXSW special jury award-winning Glitter Ain't Gold. The comedy centers on 6th grader Jibril (confident newcomer Alfred Lewis) buying his first fake gold chain at a flea market to impress his crush Marlana. He brings his friend Tawanda (a wise Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things) to his mission for moral support. Throughout the expedition, Tawanda understands how big Jibril dreams and does her best to assure him of the realistic outcomes of being with someone Jibril does not know on a personal level. Shot on coruscating Super 8 mm and executive produced by actor and musician Common, Glitter Ain't Gold is an insightful character study of losing one's self-worth due to peer and societal pressures.
Roy
Still from Roy. Courtesy of Ross White and Tom Berkeley.
Roy observes the eponymous widower (BAFTA award winner David Bradley of Harry Potter) getting a social life by cold calling many strangers. Eventually, he calls Cara, an adult hotline worker (Oscar winner Rachel Shenton of The Silent Child), and makes an unlikely friendship out of that interaction. By only having Bradley onscreen to highlight the universe under his eyes, directors Ross White and Tom Berkeley exemplifies the new ways of finding joy in life while going through loneliness in this comedic tale.
Documentary Shorts
Chilly and Milly
Still from Chilly and Milly. Courtesy of William D. Caballerango
Chilly and Milly is an animated documentary that follows director William D. Caballerango's parents' thoughts on William's documentary feature, American Dreams Deferred, on them during the pandemic. It explores how the meta qualities can become a universal tale to resonate with many family audiences. As Chilly (William's dad) passed away in May 2020 due to his declining health with diabetes and a kidney failure, Milly sets to find a new purpose in her life. With touching transitions from 3D style animation to live-action shots of the last film, Caballerango repurposes the contextualization of existing footage into an ode and labor of love for caretakers who devote themselves to taking care of others.
Last Days of August
Still from Last Days of August. Courtesy of Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Odeja-Beck
After taking a break to do other projects (Robert Machoian's The Killing of Two Lovers and Rodrigo Odeja-Beck's co-directed The Trip), the two members of 2010s Filmmaker's 25 New Faces return to make Last Days of August after co-directing God Bless the Child, When She Runs and other films. The doc examines the declining life of plains in Nebraska. First, as a storm comes, the citizens explain the small town's decay in its technological development. Then, through a photobook aesthetic that blurs the line between stillness and movement, Odeja-Beck and Machoian deliver a bleak snapshot of a village's struggles against technological growth.
Nuisance Bear
Still from Nuisance Bear. Courtesy of The New Yorker
It is hunting season in this New Yorker short. Nuisance Bear follows a polar bear on the run against 10,000 tourists in Churchill, Manitoba. The bear is the central protagonist as the film analyzes how tourists - hunters and media - violate their privacy. This centralization expresses the bear's need to be free in the wilderness and shows how a polar bear sees the world. These interactions question the tourists' perspective on wildlife amid the significant risks to polar bears' populations due to climate change. With no dialogue and a gripping sound design, directors Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden create a game of cat and mouse in this survival thriller.
The full line-up and each film’s synopsis can be read here.