Analysis of Telluride Awards: 'Hamnet' and 'Sentimental Value' join 'Sinners' as leading contenders for the Oscars
Telluride Film Festival Highlights: A Celebration of Cinematic Excellence
The 52nd Telluride Film Festival has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of critically acclaimed films and memorable moments. Here are some of the standout titles and performances that graced the screens of Colorado this year.
Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident" has been widely admired, winning Cannes' Palme d'Or and now being considered for submission as France's entry for the best international feature Oscar. The film, which revolves around a car accident and its aftermath, has been praised for its thought-provoking narrative and powerful performances.
Another film that has garnered significant attention is "Jay Kelly", a movie about a movie star experiencing an existential crisis. Initially written off on the Lido, the film rebounded in Telluride, with Billy Crudup's big scene receiving mid-movie applause at each screening. Adam Sandler's performance in the same film has cemented his status as a frontrunner for the best supporting actor Oscar.
"Hamlet", a reimagining of Shakespeare's classic play set in present-day London, has been all about Riz Ahmed's compelling performance as the title character. Aneil Karia's directorial debut has been well received, with Jessie Buckley's performance in "Hamnet" also receiving particularly strong notices.
"Ballad of a Small Player", a film about a gambling addict in present-day Macao, has been likened to a high-end 'Black Mirror' episode and a prior off-the-wall Lanthimos/Stone collab, 'Poor Things'. Colin Farrell's no-holds-barred performance in the film is its best bet for a nomination.
The Norwegian dramedy "Sentimental Value", directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve, won Cannes' Grand Prix (second-place award) and is being considered as a top tier best picture contender for the Oscars. Toni Servillo's performance in "La Grazia", an Italian film centering on an Italian president during the last six months of his term, could make a run at a long-overdue first Oscar nomination.
"Frankenstein", directed by Guillermo del Toro, played through the roof in Venice but engendered a more muted response in Telluride. The film's bloated story and runtime may make it hard for it to crack the top Oscar categories, but the Academy's music branch will surely nominate Alexandre Desplat's knockout score.
Other world premieres at the festival included "The Secret Agent", starring Wagner Moura, who has been praised for his performance and should not be underestimated in the best actor Oscar race. "Bugonia" and "Hamnet" played like gangbusters at the festival, with the latter receiving rave reviews and boasting a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 95% on Metacritic.
The festival also featured a black-and-white homage to the French New Wave, "Nouvelle Vague", directed by Richard Linklater, which is being considered as a potential contender for the Oscars.
In addition to the films, the festival also hosted a group meditation led by Chloe Zhao and the world premiere of "All the Empty Rooms", a powerful doc short about school shootings, which has been bought by Netflix.
Notable attendees at the festival included Margot Robbie, Ryan Coogler, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Rian Johnson, Janet Yang, Kathy Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Adam Sandler, Emma Stone, and Bruce Springsteen. Jesse Plemons even sang a song during screenings.
In all, the 52nd Telluride Film Festival was a celebration of cinematic excellence, showcasing a diverse array of films and performances that will undoubtedly be in the running for next year's Oscars.
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