The Twin Cities Film Fest hits the Marcus West End Cinema (formerly known as ShowPlace ICON) in St. Louis Park this week, with a mix of local gems and national hits. Sure, some of these movies may hit your favorite streaming service at some point, but why not get a jump on the buzz and see them first? Here are a few films I recommend:
Local connections
“Incompleteness”
If you really want to see a film that showcases what the Twin Cities independent film community has to offer, check out “Incompleteness.” It’s an episodic series with eight 45-minute sessions, and TCFF will be showing two of the episodes. Writer/Director Dave Ash, a local filmmaker, has put together a solid team for the production, with a fine cast of local talent, high production values, and a soundtrack by Doomtree. Ash’s writing mixes black humor with science fiction, philosophy, meta narrative, and a non-linear approach to time for a story that keeps you guessing and is filled with surprises. The series has won the Best Series award at over 50 international festivals. Sunday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at West End Cinema ($13). More information here.
“Adventure Tom”
Partially shot in Minnesota, this road movie romance follows a flying-averse artist named Tom and an accountant named Lilly who gets kicked off her airplane flight. Director Miguel Duran wrote on Instagram that he’d never been to Minneapolis before shooting the film. “Fortunately for all of us, the Twin Cities film community was extremely welcoming and extremely capable,” he wrote on Instagram, adding that TCFF marks the world premiere for the film, starring Graham Patrick Martin and Andrea Londo. Sunday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at West End Cinema ($13). More information here.
“Antarctic Voyage”
Move over, Jacques Cousteau. Minnesota native Kevin Schreck takes viewers on a voyage to the Antarctic to bask in the wonders of the ocean seabirds that fly around the island of South Georgia at the top of the Antarctic Ocean. Dr. Samantha Monier, a field biologist, acts as the central storyteller in this documentary film that at once thrills with its oceanic cinematography and warns against the dangers of climate change. Schreck does careful work setting the scene (with perhaps a nod towards Wes Anderson) and character development with the voyage’s crew, but the real stars are the albatross and other oceanic creatures that soar across the icy waters. Saturday, Oct. 19, at 10:45 a.m. at West End Cinema ($13). More information here.
Also worth checking out
“Nickel Boys”
Colson Whitehead’s novel compelled me to read, read, and keep reading until I got to the end. Based on a true story, Whitehead’s prose and mastery of storytelling revealed this ugly moment in American history with painfully beautiful writing. I’m hoping the film lives up to it. I have high hopes for this adaptation, directed by RaMell Ross. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1:45 p.m. at West End Cinema ($13). More information here.
“Conclave”
An all-star cast including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow populates this film about a conclave of cardinals choosing a new pope. Intrigue, machinations and secrets ensue. Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:15 p.m. at West End Cinema ($25). More information here.
Sheila Regan is a Twin Cities-based arts journalist. She writes MinnPost’s twice-weekly Artscape column. She can be reached at [email protected].
This post was originally published on here
