The 64th New York Film Festival is underway, bringing 119 films from 46 countries and regions to New York over 18 days.<\/p>\n
“If you’re going to come to one film fest per year, this is the one,” said Dennis Lim, artistic director of the New York Film Festival.<\/p>\n
Lim said the festival’s opening-night film is “Paper Tiger,” directed by James Gray.<\/p>\n
“Adam Driver, Miles Teller, Scarlett Johansson, three incredible actors, and these might be career best performances for all three of them,” Lim said.<\/p>\n
He described the film as being set in Brooklyn and Queens during the 1980s.<\/p>\n
“This film is set in Brooklyn and Queens in the eighties. It’s a film set against the backdrop of the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal, a very New York movie. I think James is just one of the great New York filmmakers, and we’re very happy to celebrate opening night with him,” Lim said.<\/p>\n
Among the festival’s featured selections is the world premiere of “Behemoth,” which Lim said serves as the festival’s centerpiece film.<\/p>\n
“Pedro Pascal is a cellist, and this film is interesting because music isn’t really just in the background. Music is a driving force in this film. It is such a showcase of Pedro Pascal, I think, his best role so far,” Lim said.<\/p>\n
Lim also highlighted a spotlight gala presentation featuring the world premiere of a new Godzilla film.<\/p>\n
“The previous film, ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ won an Academy Award for visual effects. This is the sequel, much anticipated, kind of a throwback blockbuster the way they used to make them, like a real good old fashioned monster movie. We’re very excited to be showing it,” he said.<\/p>\n
Lim said the festival is designed to be accessible to the public, despite high demand for some screenings.<\/p>\n