The 61st Chicago International Film Festival starts Wednesday with an impressive line-up of 114 feature-length films and 70 shorts. Most offer escape — with subtitles! — from headlines and Hollywood alike.
Two additions to the original schedule are worth noting: Spike Lee is showing “Highest 2 Lowest,” the crime drama from late summer starring Denzel Washington (Oct. 24, noon, AMC NewCity 14). In the evening, he’ll converse on stage with University of Chicago film historian Jacqueline Stewart and accept a lifetime achievement award; $60 tickets are standby only (5:30 p.m., AMC NewCity 14). Gus Van Sant will also be in town for the festival — to teach a master class and to pick up a Visionary Award. Fans might catch the indie auteur at one of two showings of his new true-crime thriller “Dead Man’s Wire” (Oct. 19, 8:15 p.m., Gene Siskel Film Center; standby only Oct. 18, 5:15 p.m., AMC NewCity 14).
Here are 10 recommended titles of two dozen previewed.
Dramas
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (U.S.) Rose Byrne plays a therapist going out of her mind caring for a sick child who we can hear yet remains ambiguously out of full view. Conan O’Brien plays her own therapist that she is driving crazy. A$AP Rocky scores as a supporting character in this unnerving psycho-thriller. Distributor A24 re-ups its rep for edgy arty fare. Writer/director Mary Bronstein will come to this sold-out screening; standby tickets only. (Oct. 16, 8 p.m. AMC NewCity 14)
“The Stranger” (France) Set in 1938 Algiers, this sensual black-and-white take on an existential anti-hero is adapted from a 1939 novel by Albert Camus. Auteur Francois Ozon analyzes the title character who shoots an Arab. Prosecutors puzzle over his inhumanity. “I had only to wish for a big crowd on my execution day and for them to greet me with cries of hate,” he muses, smiling. (Oct. 17, 8:30 p.m. AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 19, 2:15 p.m. AMC NewCity 14)
“A Useful Ghost” (Thailand) A widower reunites with his late wife after her ghost haunts a vacuum cleaner. Laced with surprises and warmth, this segue of ironic horror and supernatural romance genres is framed by the gay ghost of an executed political activist who hooks up with a self-described “academic ladyboy.” Director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke will attend his Oct.19 screening. (Oct. 19, 8 p.m. AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 21, 2 p.m. AMC NewCity 14)
“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” (Tajikistan/ U.A.E) Iranian director Shahram Mokri depicts a crew shooting a remake of an old Iranian film. The props master frets about a haunted revolver brought on the set. Loaded. “Haven’t you heard what happened to Alec Baldwin on that film set in the U.S.?” he pleads. Long, sinuous, uncut shots make this clever meta-movie a delight. Mokri and writer Nasim Ahmadpour will attend the North American premiere. (Oct. 21, 7:45 p.m. AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 23, 8:15 p.m. AMC NewCity 14)
“Palestine 36” (Palestine/ U.K./ France/ Denmark/ Norway/ Qatar/ Saudi Arabia/ Jordan) This urgent lesson in political history is co-produced by eight countries, more than any other festival entry. In 1936 Jewish immigrants replace Arab workers. British occupiers displace Palestinians to let European settlers build walled compounds. Anti-colonial rebels on horseback ride up. Jerusalem businessmen ask, “Is Zionism really so bad for us?” The end credits state: “For our people in Gaza. In the years the world failed you.” Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir will attend the U.S. premiere. (Oct. 21, 8 p.m., AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 23, 8 p.m., Gene Siskel Film Center)
“Silent Friend” (Germany/ Hungary/ France) In sync with the new discipline of plant studies, this thoughtful, touching drama portrays scientists on a German campus graced with a historic gingko tree. Researchers in 1908, 1972 and 2020 all seek to understand our seemingly mute companions with roots. Experiments use electrodes, vintage cameras and even hallucinogens. Director Ildikó Enyedi is scheduled to attend both screenings of this U.S. premiere. (Oct. 22, 8:30 p.m., AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 24, 8 p.m., AMC NewCity 14)
“Gazelle” (U.S./ Turkey) Politically exiled, a music teacher struggles with U.S. immigration law. He despairs to bring his wife and daughter from Turkey. Traumatic flashbacks intrude. Fortunately his fellow workers have his back. In this directing debut, Nadir Saribacak plays a version of himself based on his own story. He will appear at both shows of this U.S. premiere. (Oct. 24, 5:15 p.m., AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 26, 12:15 p.m., AMC NewCity 14)
Documentaries
“Holding Liat” (U.S.) Liat Beinin Atzili was taken from her kibbutz by Hamas attackers on October 7, 2023. Her family trusted Brandon Kramer to intimately chronicle their uncertainty about her fate. Israeli authorities find Liat’s husband’s blood splattered on a wall. Liat’s parents plead with congressmen. Then comes a call from President Biden. Made in association with Chicago’s Kartemquin Films, this up-to-the-minute documentary is a must-see as more hostages are freed. Producer Lance Kramer will speak at both screenings. (Oct. 16, 5 p.m., AMC NewCity; Oct. 17, noon, AMC NewCity 14)
“A Brief History of Chasing Storms” (U.S.) Chicago filmmaker Curtis Miller serves as 16mm cinematographer, sound recordist, editor and narrator in this ethnographic film essay on Midwest tornadoes. He visits memorials and museums. He finds an 1884 photograph of a twister, as well as a tourist attraction devoted to the 1996 blockbuster “Twister.” Against the backdrop of the defunded National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency, a now-politicized detail on a very old map pops out: “Golfe Du Mexique.” Miller will appear at both screenings. (Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m., Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.; Oct. 25, noon, Gene Siskel Film Center)
“Below the Clouds” (Italy) Mount Vesuvius is a lens on the past and present in this moving black-and-white portrait of Naples. Japanese archaeologists preserve the ruins of Pompeii. Residents report imagined tremors to the fire department. An empathetic responder signs off with one despairing caller: “Between wars and the earthquakes, which death do they want us to die?” Director, cinematographer and sound recordist Gianfranco Rosi will speak at both shows. (Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m., AMC NewCity 14; Oct. 24, 8:15 p.m., AMC NewCity 14)