The San Sebastian Film Festival recently announced the addition of six new movies to its competition lineup for its 71st edition. These films will be vying for the prestigious Golden Shell award at the Spanish festival. Among the new entrants are the latest works from directors Kitty Green, Isabella Eklöf, Xavier Legrand, Kei Chika-Ura, Christos Nikou, Tzu-Hui Peng, and Ping-Wen Wang.
One of the standout additions to the competition program is Christos Nikou’s film, “Fingernails.” Known for his critically acclaimed film “Apples,” Nikou’s new movie boasts an impressive cast including Riz Ahmed, Jessie Buckley, Luke Wilson, Jeremy Allen White, and Annie Murphy. “Fingernails” is a thought-provoking romantic drama that explores the concept of romantic love through an institution that tests the presence of love between couples.
Another noteworthy film in the lineup is Xavier Legrand’s “The Successor.” This movie tells the story of a designer who uncovers a terrible secret in his family home after his father passes away. Legrand is known for his previous film “Custody,” and “The Successor” is highly anticipated by festival-goers.
In addition to these new additions, the competition program already consists of two American titles. “Ex-Husbands” by director Noah Pritzker, known for his film “Quitters,” and Raven Jackson’s debut feature “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” will also be competing for the Golden Shell award.
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Apart from the competition program, the festival will also feature special screenings, one of which is Thomas Lilti’s “A Real Job.” This film offers an intimate portrayal of everyday life at a French school and features notable actors François Cluzet, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Vincent Lacoste.
The 2023 San Sebastian Film Festival is scheduled to run from September 22nd to 30th, showcasing a diverse selection of films from both established and emerging filmmakers.
Let’s take a closer look at the newly added competition titles:
“Chung xing (A Journey in Spring)”: This is the debut feature film from Taiwanese filmmakers Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang. The story revolves around a man who is consumed by remorse following his wife’s death.
“Fingernails”: Christos Nikou’s second film delves into the realm of romantic love. The movie features Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White, Luke Wilson, and Annie Murphy in leading roles.
“Great Absence”: Kei Chika-Ura’s second feature explores the relationship between a young actor and his father after the disappearance of his second wife. The film hails from Japan.
“Kalak”: Isabella Eklöf, a Swedish filmmaker, brings us her second directorial work. “Kalak” follows the journey of a Danish nurse who relocates to Greenland.
“Le successeur (The Successor)”: Xavier Legrand, known for his previous work “Custody,” presents a gripping tale of a designer who uncovers a dark secret within his family home.
“The Royal Hotel”: Kitty Green’s sophomore film centers around two backpackers who find employment in a remote Australian Outback pub. Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick play the lead roles in this Australian production.
With such a diverse and captivating lineup, the 2023 San Sebastian Film Festival promises to deliver a remarkable cinematic experience. Audiences can look forward to discovering exciting new talents and engaging with thought-provoking stories from around the world. This international celebration of cinema continues to solidify the festival’s standing as one of the most important events in the film industry calendar.
