JDIFF 2015 kicks off this Thursday, and runs until the following Sunday. With many big name guests in attendance this year, there are plenty of smaller films from around the world that risk getting lost in what is a varied and interesting eleven days of cinema.
Here's nine of our picks from this year's programme. Tickets are available from the festival website, by phone or at the box offices at Ormond Quay, Cineworld and the Light House cinema.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya
The latest film from Studio Ghibli's Isao Takahata, Kaguya's gorgeous visuals prove that the 79-year-old veteran is still operating in a league of his own. The film, based on a traditional Japanese story, is looking like it could be one of the last films from Ghibli for the forseeable future, with only When Marnie Was There left for release. For those who can't make the festival screening, Kaguya is luckily getting a wider release the following week. And Ghibli fans should make sure to check out the delightful documentary about the studio, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, which is also screening on March 21st.
Light House, Saturday March 21st at 3pm
Listen Up Philip
Director Alex Ross Perry won some fans with his surprising, provocative The Color Wheel a number of years ago. His follow-up Listen Up Philip is more accessible, but without toning back the caustic, cine-literate wit of his previous work. Jason Schwartzman plays Philip, an insufferable, pretentious individual who leaves a trail of scorched earth everywhere he goes. Perry and Schwartzman are entirely committed to exploring this delightfully unlikable character, and the film has plenty of laughs alongside its smart deconstruction of indie movie tropes. Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss provides excellent support as Philip's long-suffering partner.
Cineworld, Sunday March 22nd at 6.30pm
When Animals Dream
The vampire film has had plenty of attention in recent years - from popular hits to arthouse fare. Director Jonas Alexander Arnby looks to bring a fresh outlook to the werewolf film, something that's much needed after an entire Twilight saga. Lars Mikkelsen, recently seen in House of Cards and What Richard Did, co-stars here.
Cineworld, Monday March 23rd at 8.15pm
The Tribe (Plemya)
This Ukrainian film has been getting plenty of buzz on the festival circuit. The film follows a of gang of deaf-mute students who live a secondary life committing various crimes. The film is told entirely in sign language - there are no subtitles - and first-time director Myroslav Slaboshpytsky has already picked up plenty of awards for his fresh, inventive and dark debut.
Lighthouse, Tuesday 24th March at 6pm
Horse Money
Voted one of many critics' best films of 2014, Horse Money promises to be a treat for any fans of experimental, nontraditional filmmaking. As a bonus, director Pedro Costa will be present for the screening.
Screen Cinema, Tuesday 24th March at 6pm
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
We mentioned a werewolf film above, but this Iranian film is this year's fresh take on good old vampires. Ana Lily Amirpour's film has been widely praised as a fresh and unfamiliar take on a familiar genre. And, as the trailer suggests, its black & white cinematography looks absolutely stunning.
Cineworld, Wednesday 25th March at 8.45pm
Force Majeure
Imagine a cross between Curb Your Enthusiasm and a Michael Haneke film set a ski resort, and you'll get a general idea of the tone employed in this wickedly dark 'comedy'. The film follows a family crisis that unfolds after an act of (alleged) cowardice, and serves as a whip-smart and playful deconstruction of modern marriage and gender roles. Force Majeure keeps surprising and teasing the audience right up until its cheeky final scene.
Cineworld, Thursday 26th March at 8.15pm
Clouds of Sils Maria
A film that has been on many people's radar since last year's Cannes festival, Irish audiences will finally get a chance to see this acclaimed drama from Olivier Assayas during JDIFF. Juliette Binoche, Chloë Grace Moretz and Kristen Stewart star, with the latter having become the first American actress to pick up a French César Award for her performance.
Cineworld, Saturday 28th March at 1pm
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
It took Swedish director Roy Andersson seven years to finish his follow up his delightfully oddball last film You, The Living. Now the wonderfully titled A Pigeon Sat... is finally getting its Irish premiere at JDIFF. The film promises the same quirky, deadpan humour and utterly unique visual style that has won Andersson many fans over the course of his career (a pleasantly unhurried career at that - a mere five features in almost five decades). Definitely one of the most anticipated films of this year's JDIFF.
Light House, Sunday 29th March at 2pm
