Best of the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival

The Chicago International Film Festival is officially over.  Over the past two weeks, I saw 22 movies (17 festival and five wide releases).  It was an exhausting two weeks, but an awesome two weeks.  I saw so many movies from all different countries and all different genres and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.  Here is a look at the best movies and performances I saw while attending the festival.  I’m including all the movies I saw over the couple weeks

 

 

BEST MOVIE

WINNER – LA LA LAND

RUNNER UP – ARRIVAL

I loved Arrival (you can read my full review right here), and think that it pushes the science fiction genre to new heights.  But, my first movie of the festival was easily the best.  La La Land is a spectacular in every way.  I’ll get into more depth with a full review when the movie comes out, but La La Land is the best movie I have seen in 2016.

 

 

BEST DIRECTOR 

WINNER – DAMIEN CHAZELLE for LA LA LAND

RUNNER UP – ANDREY KONCHALOVSKIY – PARADISE 

Konchalovskiy made a Holocaust movie that is captivating, tragic, and unlike any I’ve ever seen.  Chazelle, for it being only his second feature, made something truly magical and proved just how truly talented he really is.

 

 

BEST ACTOR 

WINNER – RYAN GOSLING in LA LA LAND 

RUNNER UP – ANDRE ROYO in HUNTER GATHERER 

Who knew Gosling could sing, dance, and play piano?  He’s delightful, in one of the best performances of his career.  Royo’s performance wasn’t a showy one, but it was one of redemption and pride.

 

 

BEST ACTRESS

WINNER – EMMA STONE in LA LA LAND

RUNNER UP – YULIYA VYSOTSKAYA in PARADISE 

More La La Land love.  Emma Stone is the heart of the musical and gives a powerhouse musical number at the end that will solidify her award’s chances.  Vysotskaya is as captivating as she is heartbreaking, giving one of the most emotional performances of the year.

 

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

WINNER – MAHERSHALA ALI in MOONLIGHT 

RUNNER UP – DEV PATEL in LION

I’ve loved Ali since House of Cards, but feel he gets overlooked in the all-star cast.  His passionate, sympathetic performance is the best part of Moonlight and should be his true breakout performance.  Patel gives the best performance of his career, in a role of obsession, love, and determination.

 

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

WINNER – NICOLE KIDMAN in LION 

RUNNER UP – SHELIA VAND in WOMEN WHO KILL

Vand is terrifyingly brilliant as the sketchy girlfriend in this indie thriller.  But Kidman is a powerhouse and is the best performance from her in a long, long time.

 

 

BEST SCREENPLAY 

WINNER – PATERSON 

RUNNER UP – LA LA LAND

La La Land is the best musical in a long time, but it’s hard not to love Jim Jarmusch’s sweet, poetic slice of life.

 

 

BEST FOREIGN FILM

WINNER – PARADISE 

RUNNER UP – THE SALESMAN

The Salesman is yet another interesting, powerful domestic thriller from Oscar nominee Asghar Farhadi.  But Paradise is one of the best movies of the year and one of the best World War II movies I have ever seen.

 

 

BEST INDIE 

WINNER – WOMEN WHO KILL

RUNNER UP – HUNTER GATHERER 

The more I think about Women Who Kill, the more I love it.  It could possibly make it in my best of the year at the end of the year.  Hunter Gatherer is a indie buddy dramedy with great performances and great depth.

 

 

BEST MOVIE YOU PROBABLY WON’T SEE

WINNER – WOMEN WHO KILL

RUNNER UP – ELLE 

I loved Elle, but it lands runner-up because it will be hitting theaters this month.  Women Who Kill is as unique and cool of an indie that has come out in 2016 and one you should seek out.

 

TOP 5 MOVIES 

1 – LA LA LAND 

2 – ARRIVAL 

3 – ELLE

4 – PARADISE 

5 – PATERSON 

 

 

So that ends my coverage of the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival.  Keep an eye for the movies I mentioned and let me know what you think of them by hitting me up on Twitter and Instagram, @kevflix, or by finding my on Facebook or YouTube by searching Kevflix.