The New York Film Festival continues to add to its slate for its 60th annual film festival. Today, they announced Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras’ (“Citizen Four”) latest film “All The Beauty And The Bloodshed” will be the Centerpiece Film at NYFF60.
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In her essential, urgent, and arrestingly structured new documentary from Participant, Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Laura Poitras (Citizenfour, NYFF52 Main Slate selection) weaves two narratives: the fabled life and career of era-defining artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty Goldin personally took on in her fight to hold accountable those responsible for the deadly opioid epidemic. Following her own personal struggle with opioid addiction, Goldin, who rose from the New York “No Wave” underground to become one of the great photographers of the late 20th century, put herself at the forefront of the battle against the Sacklers, both as an activist at art institutions around the world that had accepted millions from the family and as an advocate for the destigmatization of drug addiction. Illustrated with a rich trove of photographs by Goldin, who mesmerizingly narrates her own story, including her dysfunctional suburban upbringing, the loss of her teenage sister, and her community’s fight against AIDS in the 1980s, Poitras’s film is an enthralling, empowering work that stirringly connects personal tragedy, political awareness, and artistic expression.
“I am thrilled to be part of the New York Film Festival with Nan,” said director Laura Poitras. “Her art and activism are deeply rooted in this city. It is an honor to return to the festival, and to do this with Nan is so meaningful.”
“As soon as we watched Laura Poitras’s piercing new film, we knew that Nan Goldin was the right artist to design the official poster for the 60th anniversary of the New York Film Festival,” said Eugene Hernandez, executive director of the New York Film Festival. “Nan’s unflinching bravery in life and in work have made her one of the most arresting visual artists of our time. In designing this year’s poster, she joins a renowned roster of artists who have contributed their work to the festival, beginning in 1963 with Larry Rivers and running up through last year’s poster artist, Kara Walker.”
“One fearless and empathetic gaze meets another in this remarkable portrait of Nan Goldin by Laura Poitras,” said Dennis Lim, artistic director, New York Film Festival. “We are delighted to welcome Poitras back to the festival with All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, an absorbing account of Goldin’s work and activism that shows us how much they both matter.”
Presented by Film at Lincoln Center, the New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema and takes place September 30th – October 16th, 2022. NYFF60 single tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 19th at noon ET, with pre-sale access for FLC Members and Pass holders prior to this date.
It’s very rare for a documentary to be either the Opening, Centerpiece or Closing film at the New York Film Festival. I imagine it must be an excellent film and a serious Oscar contender. We’ll know for sure after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. With the announcement now of “White Noise” as the Opening Night film and “All The Beauty And The Bloodshed” as the Centerpiece film, what do you think will be the Closing Night film? My guess is still “She Said” due to it being heavily rumored to premiere at the festival and its connection to the New York Times. We’ll see soon enough as that announcement should be coming in a few days. “Till” has already been announced as being a part of this year’s festival on opening weekend and we’ll receive the Main Slate before the month is over. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our Twitter account.
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