Fall festival season is underway and with it comes the premieres and screenings and reactions of dozens of films hoping to break into or solidify their place in the awards season. Over the past ten years, the Middleburg Film Festival has become one of the must-see destinations for cinephiles and filmmakers alike.
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, dir. Rian Johnson, Netflix
This year, the organizers of the Middleburg Film Festival will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a grand celebration. From special screenings and presentations to conversations and a tenth anniversary concert, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend of great movies and great conversation. The festivities begin Thursday night with Noah Baumbach’s White Noise, and end Sunday night with Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light. Over the course of four days, more than 40 films will screen, including Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Ray Romano’s Somewhere in Queens.
WOMEN TALKING, dir. Sarah Polley, UA Releasing
One new addition to the festival this year will be yours truly. After years of hearing the great stories from my friends about all the fun they’ve had, this year I will be joining them in the charming town of Middleburg, Virginia. There will be film reviews, possibly and interview or two, and daily dispatches from the festival. Narrowing down the schedule proved to be a challenge. There are just so many promising movies to see and so little time. But for now, my schedule will include White Noise and Glass Onion as well much-buzzed-about titles She Said (the Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey/Me Too film from Maria Schrader) and Women Talking from Sarah Polley. I also plan to see Brendan Fraser’s lauded performance in The Whale and the Brendan Gleeson/Colin Farrell reunion in The Banshees of Inisherin.
And then there are the really tough decisions. Do I choose the Harry Styles period drama My Policeman? Or Florence Pugh in the period drama The Wonder? Or do I pick neither and go heckle my friends from Variety at their Coffee and Contenders panel? Life’s full of tough choices, but who can complain when you’re in such a beautiful place, hanging out with a lot of people who just love movies?
It’s going to be a busy weekend and I look forward to bringing all the excitement your way over the next four days. Be sure to follow me and Citizen Dame on social media for updates, highlights, and stories.
Twitter: @KarenMPeterson and @CitizenDamePod
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If you happen to be near Middleburg this weekend, there are still tickets available. Check out the full schedule and more information here.