The Art Idiot: volume I, special issue
The original Art Idiot takes on Telluride Film Festival!
Welcome back to The Art Idiot! I am ecstatic to be bringing you the first ever “special edition” of the publication.
What a weekend; what a place.
Even though it was my first time attending the Telluride Film Festival, there was an instant feeling of belonging, like a home I’ve always known. Festival goers all share this intense, mutual love and infatuation for cinema and the cinematic experience. Mind you, gaining access to Telluride Film Fest is no easy feat – several months on the waitlist and obtaining a pass only a few weeks prior to the fest is rare; “by the grace of God” is the simplest way to encompass all of my luck.
It was grand to run into Robert Downey Jr., Cate Blanchett, and other big names, but all that really mattered to me, and the other festival goers, was the movies. Hearing directors, actors, and producers speak first hand about their intentions when they introduce their work of art makes me automatically and naturally more receptive to what I am about to experience. During one of the seminars in the park that I attended — filmmaking and acting was described as “turning psychology into behavior.” If this alters your perspective, like it did mine, the experiences and takeaways have only grown stronger, more valuable, and are on the edge of priceless.
I returned home feeling full; feeling that I did something that aligns with my best self. It’s interesting what meeting people you’ll never see again does for your soul; how is it possible to feel full yet feel that something’s been left behind? “See you next year,” I exclaim to the friends I’ve made along the way. I could go on forever about how invigorating this all was, but part of me wants to keep the nuance to myself.
Featured Films from the Festival…
Some movie posters have been omitted from this issue due to length limitations.
The rankings represent my personal best to worst, but, please note, my favorites differ from what I’ve categorized as best. Along with the rankings, a brief synopsis (sans spoilers) can be found. Also, please note, there are no stars rankings of films — this is due to the difficulty of constant consumption that is packed into just a few days. Be on the lookout for these titles in theatres this fall and winter, and some will be on streaming services.
TÁR - Cate Blanchett delivers some of her best work. The cancel culture narrative didn’t ruin the story, and as witness to similar, real-life stories, it was accurate in both portrayal and the feelings it elicited. Why is there something so enticing about watching a narcissist?
Empire of Light - Olivia Colman does it again. A year ago at Telluride she gave us The Lost Daughter, and, I don’t quite have the language for it, but the two roles and performances tug at similar, raw and somewhat unsettling feelings. Empire of Light, which focuses on the lives and connections of employees at a local cinema, accomplishes what movies should: feeling!
Close - Similar to how I approached most of the festival films, I attended Close with little idea of what it was about. I am unsure if reading the synopsis would prepare me for what I was to endure, but regardless, this one hurt. Friendship and platonic love are often included in plotlines but rarely are they the entirety of our focus. A24 expanded their, already vast, collection when they acquired Close, and I am eager to see the impact of this once it’s officially released.
Bones and All - Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance, and Luca Guadagnino introduced the film and reiterated over and over that this is a love story, and it’s a “coming of age” story. Truthfully, they are right. This story has a message for everyone; get over the gore and go see it.
Broker - The concept of stealing and selling a baby is obviously insane and very, very wrong. Despite this, Hirokazu Kore-eda has created characters that you sympathize with become attached to, while also highlighting the reality some people face when they must put themselves first.
Living - To learn shortly before that this is a remake of Japanese film, Ikiru, made me hesitant, as any remake does, however, Bill Nighy’s performance and the beauty of this film were exceptional. A slow burn that I believe will resonate with many as our society continues to identify what truly matters to us.
The Wonder - It is unfortunate that Don’t Worry Darling has taken over Florence Pugh’s resume, as she delivers another Midsommer-esque performance in The Wonder. This was the first film I watched in Telluride, and although it was not the best, I was really captivated by the story and its depth. I am still left with a question or two.
Armageddon Time - Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed this film a bit more if I got to see Anne Hathaway (as it seems everyone else got to see her that weekend), but, also, it is difficult to critique the semi-autobiographical story of the director, James Gray. It’s worth the watch, but I was hoping to enjoy it more.
Tori and Lokita - While it’s lower in ranking on my list, Tori and Lokita was one of my favorite films. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it will receive mass distribution by any means. The story told is the reality for many refugees, regardless of the country they escape to.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover - As badly as I wanted to enjoy this, the premise (and the fact that it’s the 4th adaptation of the novel) immediately screams “more Netflix trash,” and even under the direction of a woman, the stale, cringe-worthy sex scenes were still prevalent. Skip the watch, skip this review, truly not worth another breath.
Other films from the festival…
These pictures are categorized separately due to their non-fiction nature or because it was not released in 2022.
If These Walls Could Sing - To categorize this as a documentary is a bit generous, as the story told relies heavily on the interviews of the filmmaker’s father’s friends. There doesn’t seem to be much work done to create a narrative, but the content is easily and understandably enjoyable as it features the early days of artists we love and adore through the generations: The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, and even Kanye West.
A Compassionate Spy - The title explains it all for this documentary about treason. It was almost as if they modeled their documentarian style after an episode of Drunk History or any generic true crime show that utilizes actors to portray the story being (poorly) narrated. Although it was slightly disappointing, I learned a thing or two!
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - This film first premiered at Telluride Film Festival in 2000, and it was a first watch for me on its 22nd anniversary. Not only is it a genuine cinematic masterpiece, but Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also paved the path for the future success of foreign films in the U.S. Not only is the story enough to keep one engaged, but every shot is too beautiful to take your gaze elsewhere. Not only is there a love story (or two), but the choreography and special effects are spectacular. Luckily, a trip to Telluride or the theatre is not necessary: available on HBOMax.
Some Sound to Go…
In addition to this special edition issue, my star-crossed film lover, Kaveh Jalinous, and I collaborated to discuss all things film festivals, from Venice to Telluride. Bare with us as we rave and ramble; every detail is worth it and our passion is quite tangible. Check out the newest episode of his podcast, available on Apple Music and Spotify:
Here’s a song from a movie I love (not a film festival fim) that I couldn’t get out of my head all weekend:
As always, thank you for reading and supporting me, the original Art Idiot. Every time you engage with The Art Idiot, it is my hope that you learn a thing or two and gain the courage to explore new, perhaps daunting, art forms. There is so much to learn; run towards it all with open arms (and an open mind).
I loved reading about your experience at the film festival & all the films you’ve seen there — jealous you saw robert downy jr