Austin Film Festival October 24 through 31

THE PIANO LESSON – Opening Night –  Opening Night – This film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is co-written and directed by Malcolm Washington. John David Washington stars with Danielle Deadwyler play siblings who fight over their family’s heirloom piano in a powerful spiritual treatment about slavery and land ownership. Virgil Williams will be in attendance to talk about co-writing the script with Malcolm Washington and the challenge of adapting this film filled with so much dialogue and emotion.  Danielle Deadwyler delivers an incredible performance. Watch for our interview with co-writer Virgil Williams. 

UNSTOPPABLE – This inspiring drama, directed by William Goldenberg, follows Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and driven resolve empowered him to defy his troubled family life and the odds to pursue his dream. With the dedicated love and support of  his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez), plus the encouragement of understanding coaches, Anthony fights like hell to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. Also starring Bobby Cannavale.

THE ORDER – Jude Law stars as an FBI agent investigating a series of violent crimes connected to a white supremacist group. A string of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads a veteran FBI agent into a domestic terrorist plot to overthrow the federal government. Also starring Nicholas Hoult, Jurnee Smolett, Marc Maron and Tye Sheridan.  Watch for our Red Carpet interview with Writer Zach Baylin and Tye Sheridan in attendance.

THE KNIFE –  Director Nnamdi Asomugha the story of an African American father who confronts an intruder in his home, but his actions and lead to a confrontation that leads to a series of events that become a tense investigation by a veteran female detective interviewing each member of the family, including his wife and young daughters. Melissa Leo stars as the detective in this harrowing scenario with a surprise ending. Nnamdi Asomugha and Melissa Leo will be in attendance.

SILENT NOTES – Directed by Toni Comas, starring Daniel Durant (who played Leo in the Oscar award winning CODA). As Bruce, Durant plays a young man going deaf, trying to raise enough money to get a medical procedure to restore his hearing. The job that will get him the most money fast is as a bag man for the mob. Bruce crosses paths and slowly develops a relationship with a man who frequents his favorite coffee shop. Ethan, (Matt Riker). Riker is funny and engaging in this film which takes some tense, surprising turns. Watch for our lively interview with Comas, Durant and Riker. 

PARTY PEOPLE –  What happens when your cast includes 20 + people trying to get to the same party. Chaos, fun or both. Shot in Austin, we met the happiest cast, some of whom had never been in a film before. Directed by Joey LePage and written by Lindsey Robertson (married) who said they wrote a tight script, but let improv happen organically. Big cast of locals.