MINNEAPOLIS — We may not be seated in the mountains of Utah, or on the coast of France, but that doesn't mean you should sell the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival short.
Originally founded in 1981, the Minneapolis International Film Festival is one of the largest in the country, shining a light on the Twin Cities film scene.
As is typically the case, there is a vast array of dramas, documentaries, comedies and more for audiences to choose from as the festival this year will showcase around 200 films from here in Minnesota and across the globe. Running from April 11-25, 2024 at The Main Cinema in Minneapolis, there's something for every type of film lover – from screenings to panels and Q&A’s.
Here are 15 films you won’t want to miss.
“Sing Sing”
Starring Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing” is based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing maximum security prison. The film follows a small group of prisoners inside the correctional facility as they navigate their original stage production of “Breakin’ The Mummy’s Code.”
“Sing Sing” first premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was picked up by A24. The film is directed by Greg Dwedar who co-wrote the screenplay with Clint Bentley.
“The Idea of You”
“The Idea of You” is a highly anticipated dramedy chronicling a budding romance between a 40-year-old single mom and the 24-year-old heartthrob of the boy band “August Moon.”
The film stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. “The Idea of You” is based on the Robinne Lee novel of the same name and is set to be released on Amazon Prime in May.
“Tuesday”
“Tuesday” is described as a “heart-wrenching fairy tale,” telling a dramatic story of loss. The film is centered around a mother who lives with her terminally ill teen daughter on their journey of love, life and death.
This is the directorial debut by Diana O. Pusić, who also wrote the film. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lola Petticrew, Leah Harvey, and Arinzé Kene.
“Janet Planet”
Lacy is an 11-year-old spending her summer days at home with her mother. As the months pass, she realizes she isn’t the only person captivated by her mother as three enigmatic adults drift in and out of their lives. Written and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker. Lacy is played by Zoe Ziegler, who stars alongside Luke Bosco, June Walker Grossman, Julianne Nicholson, and Will Paton.
“Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink”
“Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” tells the story of one secretive hedge fund plundering America’s newspapers and shows audiences the journalists battling to save local journalism and the consequences of capitalist greed.
Following the April 16 screening, there will be a conversation with director Rick Goldsmith.
“Afterbirth”
Nicole Brending’s emotional and personal documentary “Afterbirth” turns the typically joyful narratives about parenting on their head. Blending performance with reality, Brending reflects on the early months of motherhood and the complexities of motherhood and postpartum depression.
This is the world premiere of the film; Nicole Brending will be in attendance.
“Broken Eyes”
Minnesota filmmaker Dana Conroy’s feature debut is a documentary highlighting her experiences with Lasik surgery. “Broken Eyes” was born when surgery gone wrong leaves a filmmaker grasping at her lifelong passion but quickly turns into an investigation into a multibillion-dollar industry and an underground network of thousands scarred by the so-called “safest elective surgery on the market.”
“LaRoy, Texas”
“LaRoy, Texas” follows Ray as he discovers his wife is cheating on him, thus deciding to kill himself. However, his plans quickly change when he is mistaken for a low-rent hitman. Sitting at 100% on the Tomatometer, “LaRoy, Texas” is “two hours of fun, followed by a tragic feeling of emptiness and a desire for a shower,” according to Christain Zilko of IndieWire who reviewed the film after its premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
The film was written and directed by Shane Atkinson (“Penny Dreadful,” “The Ambassador”) and stars John Magaro, Steve Zahn, Megan Stevenson, Matthew Del Negro, and Dylan Baker.
“The Electric Indian”
“The Electric Indian” is a documentary film following Minnesota hockey legend and member of the Ojibwe Nation Henry Boucha. Boucah played in the NHL for the Minnesota North Stars and the Detroit Red Wings and played on the 1972 USA Olympic team before he suffered a debilitating eye injury when assaulted on the ice. Lost without his career, he was forced to start again and discover life off the ice.
From director Leya Hale, this film is a co-production of Twin Cities PBS and Vision Maker Media.
“Claire Facing North”
From Minnesota filmmaker Lynn Lukkas, “Claire Facing North” is a moving portrait of self-discovery. As Claire returns to Iceland on a solo trip, she meets Iris, a young and somewhat irresponsible hitchhiker, and together they form a bond neither expected nor will forget.
This is the World Premiere of “Claire Facing North”; Lynn Lukkas will be attending.
“The Beast”
Adapted from Henry James’s 1903 short story, “The Beast in the Jungle,” Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast” tells the story of a young woman living in the future where emotions have become a threat as she decides to undergo a surgical process to have her DNA and memories removed. “The Beast” stars Lea Seydoux, George MacKay, Guslagie Malanda, and Dasha Nekrasova.
“Chicken for Linda”
An entertaining and well-crafted film, “Chicken for Linda” follows Paulette, a widowed mother who feels guilty for punishing her daughter for something she didn’t do. While looking for forgiveness, Pauleete sets out to buy chicken for a dish her late husband used to cook, as requested by her daughter.
The film is directed by Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach and stars Mélinée Leclerc, Clotilde Hesme, Laetitia Dosch, Esteban, and Patrick Pineau.
“About Dry Grasses”
Samet, a teacher assigned to a post at a remote village in Eastern Anatolia, teaching art to indifferent students when one student offended by something he’s done, accuses him of indecorous behavior.
From multiple Cannes award-winner Nuri Bilge Ceyla, “About Dry Grasses” stars Deniz Celiloglu, Merve Dizdar, Musab Ekici, Ece Bagci, and Yüksel Aksu.
“In Our Day”
Hong Sang-soo’s 30th film, “In Our Day,” tells the story of an actress in her forties, who recently returned to Korea and is staying with a friend to find her lost spark. Meanwhile, an aging poet is being visited by documentary filmmakers equipped with questions about his career and life.
The film was also produced, scored, photographed, and edited by Sang-soo. It stars, Kim Minhee, Song Sunmi, Ki Joobong, Park Miso, and Ha Seongguk.
“Bad Press”
Mvskoke Media was the free press of the Muscogee Nation, the fourth-largest Native American tribe in the country when the tribal government repealed laws to protect the free press.
Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler’s riveting documentary “Bad Press” centers on a journalist's fight to protect the press after reports on embezzlement led to such a flagrant act of suppression.
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