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SXSW Announces Opening Night Film; Lena Dunham’s ‘Girls’ To Debut While Lubitsch’s ‘Oyster Princess’ Gets New Score

Sure, people may be focusing on the best of the year past with this year’s Golden Globe Awards officially behind us, but it’s about damn time we look forward, at one hell of an interesting early season of film festivals.

SXSW announced, late last week, their opening night film, as well as a few other films that will be showing during the festival, and it’s quite a lineup.   Opening the festival will be Drew Goddard’s ‘˜Cabin In The Woods,’ which also features a script co-written by he and Joss Whedon, who also produces the film.   A picture that’s been waiting in the wings for years now, the film will make its official debut when the festival opens, and is likely going to be one of the more talked about movies playing in Austin this March.

Also of note, Kevin Macdonald will be debuting his long discussed Bob Marley documentary, ‘˜Marley,’ during the festival, with music video director Jonas Akerlund debuting ‘˜Small Apartments,’ alongside the likes of two Criterion-approved filmmakers, Lena Dunham and Ernst Lubitsch.   The former will be showing the first three episodes of her new HBO show, ‘˜GIRLS,’ with the latter getting a new score for his iconic 1919 silent comedy, ‘˜The Oyster Princess,’ which will play during the festival.   Austin band Bee Vs. Moth will perform their new score for the film, live.

Personally, while all of these sound interesting, it’s Lubitsch’s ‘˜Oyster Princess’ that I’m beyond excited for.   I’ve never seen the film, so the idea of seeing it on the big screen with alive score is absolutely mind blowing.

What do you think? Here’s the full list of films announced up to this point:

MARLEY  (North American Premiere)
Director: Kevin Macdonald

The definitive life story of Bob Marley – musician, revolutionary, legend – from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best. Directed by Academy Award Winner Kevin Macdonald.

Beauty Is Embarrassing  (World Premiere)
Director: Neil Berkeley

A funny, irreverent and insightful look into the life and times of one of America’s most important artists, Wayne White.

Small Apartments  (World Premiere)
Director: Jonas Ã…kerlund

When Franklin Franklin accidentally kills his landlord, he must hide the body; but, the wisdom of his beloved brother and the quirks of his neighbors, force him on a journey where a fortune awaits him.
Cast: Matt Lucas, Billy Crystal, James Caan

CITADEL  (World Premiere)
Director: Ciarán Foy

An agoraphobic father teams up with a renegade priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children.
Cast: Aneurin Barnard, James Cosmo, Wumni Mosaku

GIRLS  (World Premiere)
Director: Lena Dunham

Created by and starring Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture), the show is a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their early 20s.
Cast: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke

The Oyster Princess  with live score by Bee vs. Moth (World Premiere)
Director: Ernst Lubitsch

The Oyster Princess is Ernst Lubitsch’s tart 1919 silent comedy that parodies the rich and the spoiled. Austin jazz/rock band Bee vs. Moth performs their original score live with the film for the first time.
Cast: Ossi Oswalda, Victor Janson, Julius Falkenstein

Source SXSW

Joshua Brunsting

Josh is a critic, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, a wrestling nerd, a hip-hop head, a father, a cinephile and a man looking to make his stamp on the world, one word at a time.

2 comments

  • No offense, but you’re young and your comparing in importance the pretentious, semi-literate Lena Dunham with Ernst Lubitsch is beyond ludicrous (despite your keener excitement at the prospect of seeing “The Oyster Princess). Keep your sense of proportion.