The 64th New York Film Festival opened with James Gray’s neo-noir “Paper Tiger” and concluded with Ava DuVernay’s documentary “14th,” which examines the origins and contemporary challenges facing the 14th Amendment. Between these two screenings, the festival presented a diverse program including revivals, world premieres, and main slate features, drawing notable appearances from actors such as Pedro Pascal, John Turturro, Tatiana Maslany, Paul Rudd, and Paul Giamatti.
Among the spotlighted films was “A Statement,” directed by Tom McCarthy, who previously earned acclaim for “Spotlight.” The film reenacts a 1980 congressional meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida, focusing on early governmental discussions about climate change. Centered largely in a single conference room setting, the narrative features Paul Rudd as Tom Jorling, chair of the meeting, alongside a cast portraying various figures involved in the debate, including John Turturro as MIT nuclear engineer Dr. David Rose, Tatiana Maslany as environmental lawyer Edith Brown Weiss, Paul Giamatti as David Slade from the Department of Energy, and Evan Peters as environmental lobbyist Rafe Pomerance. Drawing heavily on actual meeting transcripts, the film captures the intricate, often tense negotiation over acknowledgment and action on global warming. While some viewers may find the procedural detail dense, the performances, particularly by Giamatti and Turturro, provide engaging counterpoints and occasional levity.
Turturro also stars in “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” a film that serves as an affectionate tribute to New York City’s five boroughs. Portraying Harry, a pickpocket who faces unexpected consequences, Turturro’s role is complemented by appearances from Steve Buscemi as a pawn shop owner, Maslany as Harry’s estranged daughter in a pivotal scene, and Giancarlo Esposito as a police officer with past connections to Harry. The film blends character-driven drama with moments of emotional resonance, including a notably choreographed dance sequence set to Odyssey’s “Native New Yorker,” which has been highlighted as a standout moment. Director Noah Segan cited “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” as a key influence, positioning this film as a uniquely New York counterpart to that Boston-centered noir.
Other notable screenings include “Fatherland,” directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, which follows author Thomas Mann and his daughter on a post-World War II journey through Germany. Shot in black and white using the Academy aspect ratio, the film runs a concise 82 minutes and offers a mix of bitter humor and drama. Cast members include Hanns Zischler, Sandra Hüller, and August Diehl.
Pedro Pascal stars in “Behemoth!,” directed by Tony Gilroy, a film depicting the life of Alex Serian, a cellist transitioning from orchestral performance to film scoring. The narrative is structured like a symphony, with time shifts that highlight different periods in Serian’s career. The film features original compositions from nine prominent composers, including Alan Silvestri and Michael Giacchino. Supporting performances come from Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and Will Arnett.
The festival closed with “14th,” Ava DuVernay’s follow-up to her 2016 documentary “13th.” This new film explores the historical foundation of the 14th Amendment and its perceived erosion in contemporary politics. Commentators such as Sherrilyn Ifill, Jasmine Crockett, and Stacey Abrams provide context throughout. While the film’s release on Netflix is scheduled post-midterm elections, some critique surrounds DuVernay’s use of AI-generated animations to visualize archival photographs, a creative choice that sparked mixed reactions. “14th” is set for wider release in December.
The 64th New York Film Festival demonstrated a breadth of cinematic approaches to pressing social issues, personal stories, and artistic experimentation, underscoring its continued prominence in the international film calendar.