The 72nd Sydney Film Festival is abuzz with excitement as it showcases a diverse array of films from 70 countries, spanning the globe from Afghanistan to Zambia. The festival promises a cinematic extravaganza with screenings at the prestigious State Theatre and various other venues across the city.
Opening night set the tone for what was to come, especially with Michael Shanks’ Australian horror film “Together,
” featuring American stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie. The film had already garnered attention after selling for a record $26 million at the Sundance Film Festival. However, controversy loomed as a New York production company claimed it was a “
blatant rip-off
” of a 2023 romantic comedy. The response from the American agent for the film’s team dismissed these claims as “
frivolous and without merit
” [SOURCE].
The festival’s official competition, led by Australian director Justin Kurzel, will judge 12 films vying for the $60,000 prize awarded to cinema that is deemed “
audacious, courageous, and cutting-edge.
”
Let’s delve into some of the standout films that are creating quite a buzz at this year’s Sydney Film Festival:
**Slanted**
In Amy Wang’s debut feature film “
Slanted,
” we follow Shirley Chen as she portrays a teenager striving to become prom queen through drastic measures. This body horror satire offers a unique take on societal pressures surrounding beauty standards and ethnicity. As one critic puts it, this film promises timely reflections on issues such as body image, sexism, and racism.
**Blue Moon**
Richard Linklater adds another gem to his repertoire with “
Blue Moon,” capturing an intimate glimpse into lyricist Lorenz Hart’s life against the backdrop of success for his former partner Richard Rodgers. Margaret Qualley shines alongside Ethan Hawke in what IndieWire hails as “a razor-sharp biopic.”
**It Was Just An Accident**
Jafar Panahi defies all odds with his thriller “It Was Just An Accident,” crafted under clandestine conditions to evade strict censorship laws in Iran. This emotional rollercoaster won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes last weekend [SOURCE].
**Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5**
Raoul Peck draws chilling parallels between George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece “1984” and contemporary America in his documentary “Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5.” With Homeland star Damian Lewis narrating Orwell’s poignant words, this film serves as an urgent commentary on our turbulent times.
These are just a few glimpses into the captivating world of cinema awaiting audiences at this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Each film offers a unique perspective on life, society, and human experiences that are sure to leave lasting impressions.
As reported by www.smh.com.au
Source: [www.smh.com.au](https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/15-unmissable-movies-at-this-year-s-sydney-film-festival-20250505-p5lwpz.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_culture)
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