The 2022 Nashville Film Festival has been in the books for a couple of weeks now, so forgive me for just now getting around to this piece. Between life outside of SoBros Network and some other projects going on ’round HQ, it took us about a week after the festival ended before we could get together to record the podcast on the festival. Nonetheless, we are here and present now.
I think the SoBros Network’s resident film critic, Brandon Vick, and I alone watched around 25 films for this thing. But, I also enlisted the help of our friend, the EIC at 615 Film and the President of the Music City Film Critics Association, Sean Atkins. Together, the three of us mulled it over and are now offering up our picks for ‘Best of the Fest.’
Brandon: “My favorite of the fest is called Piggy. Anchored by Laura Galán’s jarring, committed performance, this Spanish revenge horror fuses in unsettling ways the expected bloodshed with surprisingly sharp social commentary. With a substantial amount of cruelty and empathy, writer-director Carlota Pereda constructs a twisted, traumatic morality tale that’s also an alarming coming-of-age story that feels quite authentic. As viewers bare witness to the physical terror that’s being unfettered – there’s something more complex at play psychologically. As a result of relentless bullying, Galán’s Sara is engulfed by a terribly damaged mind-set, and what unfolds from that is uniquely dark and disconcerting.”
Sean: “Aftersun – I wanted to hug my parents as soon as I could after seeing this film. Aftersun is a profoundly moving film that’s a coming-of-age story, an exploration of the bond between a parent and child, and a close examination at mental health, all at once. In the days that followed, this was at the forefront of my mind because it has so much to say in just 100 minutes. Without question, one of the year’s very best films and while I know A24 will likely spend a majority of its FYC campaigning on Everything Everywhere All at Once (another outstanding film from A24 this year), I hope they give Aftersun the awards campaign it deserves. This may end up being the best film of the year for me pending on when I see it again. “
Stoney (that’s me): “In Acidman, we meet Maggie (Dianna Agron), who is making the effort to reconnect with her father (Thomas Haden Church), despite a clear rift between the two that suggests some major old hurt. Maggie expresses concern not only for her father’s health, but also his dedication to communicating with beings outside of our realm – that’s right…aliens. The more we learn about these two, the more gripping the movie becomes. Look, you won’t get a big spiraling plot in this one. It is as character driven as character driven can be, and it’s straight to the point. But, it’s really the two powerhouse performances from Agron and Church that make this one such an emotional watch. You feel as invested in this relationship as they do. I chuckled. I teared up. I felt compelled to shoot my mother a text just to see how she was doing!”
You can check out our latest episode of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast, on which Brandon and I really dive into the festival experience and a few of our favorites from the 53rd annual Nashville Film Festival, right here or wherever you take in your podcasts!
Listen to “Ep. 119: The 2022 Nashville Film Festival” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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