CCFF SPOTLIGHT
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.
“Mixing Realism with the Supernatural” | Thea Hvistendahl, Handling the Undead
Screening Wednesday, May 8, at 9:45 p.m, at the Music Box Theatre as part of the Chicago Critics Film Festival, Handling the Undead is a drama with elements of horror about three families, a story about grief and loss, but also about hope and understanding of what we can’t comprehend or control.
“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.
“A Production Miracle” | Alex Thompson, Ghostlight
Part of the Chicago Film Critics Film Festival, Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan’s Ghostlight is screening as the closing-night title, with the filmmakers in attendance.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Follow Films” | Chris Nash, In A Violent Nature
Ahead of In A Violent Nature playing the Chicago Critics Film Festival, writer-director Chris Nash graciously took the time to answer this year’s CCFF filmmaker questionnaire. Below, his individual responses.
“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.
“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.
“Is This What Police Are For?” | Yance Ford, POWER
Ahead of POWER screening at the Chicago Critics Film Festival, director Yance Ford answered our filmmaker questionnaire about his path to filmmaking and the inspiration for his documentary.
Timeless, Rich, Revelatory: Gillian Armstrong's Little Women at 30
Chicago critic, programmer, and author Marya E. Gates revisits Gillian Armstrong’s Little Women, screening at this year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival for its 30th anniversary.
“These Spaces Are Sacred” | Luke Gilford, National Anthem
“National Anthem” stars Charlie Plummer in a star-making turn with a stellar supporting cast featuring dynamic performances from Eve Lindley, Rene Rosado, Mason Alexander Park and Robyn Lively.
“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.
“Laughing, Screaming, Crying with Joy” | Bill and Turner Ross, Gasoline Rainbow
With Gasoline Rainbow, celebrated directorial duo the Ross Brothers (Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets and Contemporary Color) turn their pioneering hybrid approach to the cinematic road trip.
“What Would Hitchcock Do?” | Francis Galluppi, The Last Stop in Yuma County
In Francis Galluppi’s The Last Stop in Yuma County, a traveling knife salesman is stranded and forced to wait at a rural rest stop, when he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a violent hostage situation following the arrival of two bank robbers on the run after a recent heist.
“Get A Sitter, For Crying Out Loud” | Pamela Adlon, Babes
A hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of adulthood and becoming a parent, Babes marks the feature directorial debut of Emmy-winning actress, writer, and director Pamela Adlon.
“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.”
“A Feeling of Fear and Sadness and Mystery” | Tilman Singer, Cuckoo
Starring Hunter Schafer, Jessica Henwick, and Dan Stevens, Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo screens at the Chicago Critics Film Festival as part of our opening-night slate.
“We All Danced Out of That Theater Into the Night” | Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing
This year, the Chicago Film Critics Association is thrilled to kick off our 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival with Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, starring Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (Rustin).