CCFF SPOTLIGHT

In Sing Sing and Ghostlight, The Healing Power of Theater
Zachary Lee Zachary Lee

In Sing Sing and Ghostlight, The Healing Power of Theater

Two films centered around the production of Shakespeare plays, both of which capture the healing power of community through the innately collaborative nature of theater work, Sing Sing and Ghostlight open and close this year’s Chicago Film Critics Festival.

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“A Safe Space to Heal and Play” | Kelly O’Sullivan, Ghostlight
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“A Safe Space to Heal and Play” | Kelly O’Sullivan, Ghostlight

The sophomore feature from Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan, following their critically acclaimed Saint Frances, Ghostlight stars a real-life family of actors, as well as Golden Globe nominee Dolly De Leon (Triangle of Sadness). It screens as the closing-night title at this year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival.

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“Find My Own Voice” | India Donaldson, Good One
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“Find My Own Voice” | India Donaldson, Good One

India Donaldson’s insightful, piercing debut is screening at the Chicago Critics Film Festival, with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-film Q&A. Learn more about Donaldson’s inspiration and favorite theatrical experience.

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 “Sheer Force of Will” | Josh Margolin, Thelma
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“Sheer Force of Will” | Josh Margolin, Thelma

The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, THELMA is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb (NEBRASKA) her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (SHAFT). Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (The White Lotus’ Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her.

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“No Permission” | Nicholas Tomnay, What You Wish For
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“No Permission” | Nicholas Tomnay, What You Wish For

Ryan, a chef with gambling problems, meets an old friend in a Latin American villa where he's been hired to cook an elaborate private meal for incoming guests. After assuming his friend's identity to take over the lucrative gig, Ryan comes to realize he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

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“Process, Not Results” | Nicole Riegel, Dandelion
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“Process, Not Results” | Nicole Riegel, Dandelion

Screening at the Chicago Critics Film Festival, Nicole Riegel’s Dandelion follows a struggling singer-songwriter (KiKi Layne) who falls into an intoxicating romance, leading her to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own.

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“On The Edge of My Seat” | Damian McCarthy, Oddity
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“On The Edge of My Seat” | Damian McCarthy, Oddity

When Dani is brutally murdered at the remote country house that she and her husband Ted are renovating, everyone suspects a patient from the local mental health institution, where Ted is a doctor. However, soon after the tragic killing, the suspect is found dead. A year later, Dani’s blind twin sister Darcy, a self-proclaimed psychic and collector of cursed items, pays an unexpected visit to Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana. Convinced that there was more to her sister's murder than people know, Darcy has brought with her the most dangerous items from her cursed collection to help her exact revenge.

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“Stopped In Time” | Chris Wilcha, Flipside
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“Stopped In Time” | Chris Wilcha, Flipside

Flipside—screening Monday, May 6, at 9:45 p.m. at the Music Box, as part of the Chicago Critics Film Festival (get tickets now)---documents his tragicomic attempt to revive the store while revisiting other documentary projects he has abandoned over the years.

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“Something Terrible Might Happen” | Jason Yu, Sleep
Isaac Feldberg Isaac Feldberg

“Something Terrible Might Happen” | Jason Yu, Sleep

Screening at the Chicago Critics Film Festival on Friday, May 3, at 11:59 p.m. at the Music Box, as the opening-night midnight selection (get tickets now), Sleep follows newlyweds Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun, Parasite) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “Someone’s inside.”

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