Film at Lincoln Center announces Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!“ as the Centerpiece selection of the 64th New York Film Festival, making its world premiere at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, October 2nd, with Gilroy, Pedro Pascal, and additional members of the cast in attendance. Presented by Film at Lincoln Center in partnership with Rolex, the 64th New York Film Festival (NYFF64) will take place from September 25th through October 12th.
Pedro Pascal gives the performance of his career so far as Alex, a cellist picking up the pieces of a fractured life, in this American drama of uncommon intelligence, humor, and grace from Academy Award–nominated writer-director Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”). A former child prodigy living in the shadow of a storied musical family, Alex has left his position with an orchestra in Chicago—fleeing a soured relationship with a manic ex (a piledriving Olivia Wilde)—and returned to Los Angeles to record Hollywood film scores and resolve unfinished family business. Using a deft flashback structure to weave in and out of his adult life, while cleverly employing a panoply of original movie compositions to both accompany and comment upon them (in a soundtrack featuring nine of the industry’s leading musicians), Gilroy turns Alex’s desire for stability, meaning, and redemption into a sophisticated drama of the highest order. “Behemoth!” is a thundering, savvy tribute to the power of music that builds to an emotional wallop of a climax, also featuring stellar supporting work from Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, JoBeth Williams, and Margarita Levieva, with Hank Azaria and Will Arnett. A Searchlight Pictures release.
“I have been orbiting NYFF for the great majority of my life,“ said Gilroy. “I was baptized by ‘Fitzcarraldo.’ I was tending bar across the street, and a customer tipped me a single ticket. It was a bad seat to the most remarkable screening I’d ever attended. There were many memorable nights to follow. The Centerpiece invitation is a fantasy I’ve conjured more times than I care to admit. NYFF has always been the benchmark for me; the opportunity to premiere a film I cannot wait to show, in that hall, to that audience, feels every bit as thrilling as I’d imagined. I’m honored.”
“We are delighted to present the world premiere of Tony Gilroy’s anticipated return to the big screen as this year’s NYFF Centerpiece,“ said Dennis Lim, NYFF Artistic Director. “There is so much to savor in this immaculately crafted film, from its creative use of music to its note-perfect ensemble cast. Holding it all together is a tour de force by Pedro Pascal, one of the performances of the year from one of our true movie stars.”
Tony Gilroy is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. He is the creator of Lucasfilm’s acclaimed series “Andor,“which received 22 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, and two Peabody Awards across its two seasons. Gilroy made his feature directorial debut with “Michael Clayton,“ which received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. He later wrote and directed “Duplicity“and “The Bourne Legacy.“ A veteran screenwriter, Gilroy wrote the first three Bourne films and co-wrote “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,“ which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. He brought a clear creative vision to the film, and from that, Andor was born. His additional writing credits include “Beirut,” “State of Play,” “Armageddon,” “The Devil’s Advocate,” “Dolores Claiborne,” “Proof of Life,” “Extreme Measures,“ and “The Cutting Edge.“ Raised in upstate New York, Gilroy is the son of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright and filmmaker Frank D. Gilroy.
The NYFF Main Slate selection committee is chaired by Dennis Lim, NYFF Artistic Director, and includes Florence Almozini, Justin Chang, and Rachel Rosen.
Presented by Film at Lincoln Center, the New York Film Festival is an annual celebration of the most significant international films of the year. Since 1963, the New York Film Festival has played a vital role in shaping film culture, championing bold and remarkable works by both celebrated auteurs and emerging voices from around the world.
NYFF64 is generously supported by Festival Co-Chairs Susannah Gray and John Lyons, Susan and John Hess, Almudena and Pablo Legorreta, and Nanna and Dan Stern; Vice-Chairs Jack Heller, Tara Kelleher and Roy Zuckerberg, and Ronnie Planalp; and Supporters Kris and Kathy Heinzelman, Hillary Koota Krevlin and Glenn Krevlin, and Marcia DB Levy and William G. Levy.
Secure your tickets for Centerpiece and more with Passes, limited quantities on sale now. NYFF64 single tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 15th at noon ET, with pre-sale access for FLC Members and Pass holders prior to this date. Become an FLC Member by August 28th to secure NYFF64 pre-sale access and discounted tickets year-round. NYFF64 Press and Industry accreditation is now open through August 14th.
Sign up for forthcoming NYFF announcements, including Main Slate, Spotlight, Currents, Revivals, and Talks.
What do you think of this news? Are you excited to see “Behemoth!?” What do you think? What else do you think will be announced for NYFF64? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our X account.
