5 Films To Watch from AFI Fest 2020

The recently concluded edition of the AFI Fest was one of the first to have been stricken by the circumstances that the entire world has been suffering from. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the folks at AFI Fest were able to put on an incredible show with an astounding amount of variety in their lineup. However, since the festivals’ conclusion, we want to shine a light on some of the most notable films to have come out of this year’s festival so far.

The Father (Florian Zeller)

First seen at the Sundance Film Festival, The Father stars Anthony Hopkins as an aging father who begins to lose his grip on reality. Adapted from Florian Zeller’s acclaimed play (who also steps into the director’s chair for the first time here), this is a film that sensitively and accurately portrays the rising anxieties of aging in new ways. Many films based on plays this year have failed to transcend their contained trappings of theater, but Zeller manages to ensure that The Father feels more like a narrative film than a blandly adapted play. While at its core, it’s a stunning awards vehicle with a stellar performance from Hopkins (and recent academy-award upset winner Olivia Colman in a supporting role), Zeller imbues the story with a sense of ambiguity that results in an impactful and innovative narrative that will not be forgotten.

Nine Days (Edson Oda)

Yet another film that premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival but then disappeared throughout the first stages of the fall festival season,  Nine Days made its triumphant return at the AFI Fest, to much acclaim. Starring Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, and Bill Skarsgård, the film marks Edson Oda’s directorial debut with a narrative about what it means to live and be human in such a dark and dreary world. Overall, it is a beautifully made and incredibly unique film that will be sure to touch all who see it. It taps into the lyrical atmosphere of films like Arrival and The Tree of Life, although in certain moments it feels as if its lofty ambitions are undermined by how far the story goes. Yet, the film holds strong with Edson Oda’s steady hand, and it is brought to life and immortalized by the stunning use of color, heartbreaking score, and heartfelt central performances from all involved.

I’m Your Woman (Julia Hart)

After a stunningly productive year, Julia Hart returns with the latter half of her 2020 one-two punch with the AFI Fest Opening film premiere of I’m Your Woman. Directed by Hart and starring Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Ms. Maisel), the film tells the story of a woman who is thrust into the world of crime with her newborn baby as she runs from the sins of her husband’s actions. While the film takes a bit to hit its stride and could have benefitted from a shorter runtime, once it begins to speed up, it becomes a captivating crime thriller framed by a search for one’s identity in a crowded world and is bolstered by Brosnahans‘ performance as well as Julia Hart‘s intriguing visual style. 

Sound of Metal (Darius Marderis)

A film that first premiered more than a year ago at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sound of Metal finally re-emerged at AFI Fest with new awards ambitions in play as well. Directed by Derek Cianfrance’s protege Darius Marderis and starring a transformative Riz Ahmed, the film tells the story of a passionate drummer who must come to terms with his gradual loss of the sense that matters to him the most. Despite starting off with a rapid and chaotic solo, it soon becomes a surprisingly slow and methodical tale that takes a different approach than what was originally expected. However, all the risks taken pay off and result in a brilliant technical exploration of this audiovisual medium and a shocking performance from Riz Ahmed, putting it safely in the conversation for both Ahmed and the Sound team to nab awards and nominations.

Uncle Frank (Alan Ball)

Yet another film that premiered at Sundance before largely going silent until its re-emergence at the festival, Uncle Frank is directed by Alan Ball and stars Paul Bettany in the film’s titular role. Framed through the lens of his niece Beth (Sophia Lillis), the film tells the story of the events transpiring on a road trip towards the family’s patriarch’s funeral, all while Frank reminisces on his life and comes to terms with openly sharing his identity with those he loves. Featuring Paul Bettany‘s best performance to date, Uncle Frank is an emotional and heartfelt film that does fall prey to some conventional tropes throughout its narrative. However, it is ultimately saved by the heartwarming atmosphere cultivated by director Alan Ball to make it one that is worth a watch.