TCFF 2015 Preview

July 24, 2015

When I’m not reviewing the latest and greatest from Hollywood each week, in my other job as creative director at the Traverse City Film Festival I get to watch a lot of great independent films in preparation for six days of moviegoing goodness. Here are some of my favorites at this year’s fest, which runs from Tuesday, July 28 - Sunday, August 2:

Altman

If you’re not familiar with the work the great American auteur Robert Altman, this is the perfect primer. And if you are familiar with his unparalleled oeuvre, how could you miss this? Featuring interviews with many of his collaborators including Elliott Gould, Paul Thomas Anderson, Lily Tomlin, and Julianne Moore, director Ron Mann’s window into Altman’s iconoclastic career is a finely crafted look at an uncompromising storyteller. And on that note, also be sure to check out the special 40th anniversary screening of his masterpiece, Nashville – with actors in attendance.

Digging for Fire

Finally, a truly funny American indie! And with a cast that reads like a who’s who of indie filmmaking (Jake Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Anna Kendrick, Sam Elliott, Orlando Bloom, Melanie Lynskey, Brie Larson, Sam Rockwell, Mike Birbiglia, Jenny Slate, Ron Livingston – the list goes on), prolific director Joe Swanberg has made his most accessible and entertaining work. Combining a murder mystery, marital strife, and plenty of witty banter, the separate adventures of two married parents on the verge make for an infectious look at the pain and pleasure of love.

A Brave Heart

The most inspirational movie you’ll see all year, consider it your duty to bring yourself and the young people in your life to see the triumphant true story of anti-bullying advocate Lizzie Velasquez. We couldn’t be more honored to have Lizzie with us in person here in Traverse City. Trust me, this will be a profoundly moving event you won’t soon forget.

T-Rex

Claressa Shields’ unlikely journey to Olympic glory is the kind of story Hollywood couldn’t make up if it tried. With a steely determination and a fierce and fiery attitude, the 17-year-old wunderkind rose from the streets of Flint to the top of the women’s boxing world driven not only by passion for her sport, but by the knowledge boxing may be her only chance to leave her complicated home life behind. Shields will be here in person to present this soaring portrait of chasing down your dreams.

Haemoo

With the most edge-of-your-seat excitement and spectacular thrills of the festival, people will be talking about this riveting high-seas adventure long after the credits roll. Co-written by Bong Joon-ho, if you enjoyed Snowpiercer at last year’s festival, this richly emotional and grippingly energetic story of the high-risk, but insanely lucrative smuggling of illegal immigrants from China to Korea, is another mind-altering revelation.

Breaking a Monster

Even if you’re someone who could care less about heavy metal music (aka someone like me), there’s no way you can watch this fascinating documentary and not be amazed and enthralled by Unlocking the Truth, the unbelievably talented tween metal sensations poised to make an indelible mark on the music industry. And they will actually be here, performing in person, live from the State Theatre! You’ll be able to say you saw them when.