From a formal command of cinematic language to an unflinching look at all of humanity, there aren’t many directors likeSteve McQueenworking today (have you seenWidows? Ya gotta watchWidows). The award-winning director gets another feather in his cap thanks to the2020 New York Film Festival. McQueen’sLovers Rockwill open the entire festival, and two other McQueen films from theSmall Axeanthology series of whichLovers Rockoriginates will debut later in the festival.
McQueen will now join other luminous directors likeMartin Scorsese,Ava DuVernay, andQuentin Tarantinowho’ve seen their works open the NYFF. McQueen said this about the honor:
It’s an incredible honor and also very humbling to show three of my films at the New York Film Festival. It’s especially meaningful for me at this particular time to share these stories as a Black man of West Indian heritage. I’m grateful to the NYFF for their generosity and wish everyone a safe and healthy festival.
Lovers RockstarsMicheal WardandAmarah-Jae St. Aubynas young people who fall in love at a 1980s blues party. It’s just one feature-length film from the five-filmSmall Axeanthology set, all directed by McQueen, all set to stream on Amazon Prime sometime in the future. Two otherSmall Axefilms will play the festival, includingMangrove, starringLetitia WrightandShaun Parkesin the true story of Black activists in 1970s London; andRed, White and Blue, starringJohn BoyegaandSteve Toussaintin the true story of a young man whose father was assaulted by police, so he decides to join and reform from within.
The 2020 New York Film Festival will be produced in accordance with health guidelines of the state, given that, y’know, we’re in a dang pandemic. There will be outdoor and virtual screenings, with indoor screenings only allowed if state and country health guidelines permit them. The rest of the festival lineup will be released “in the coming weeks,” saysEugene Hernandez, Director of the New York Film Festival. But for allWidowsstans (seriously, watchWidows), be thankful we have new McQueen coming soon.
The 2020 New York Film Festival begins September 25 with McQueen’sLovers Rock. For more on McQueen, check outwhat would’ve been the 2020 Cannes lineup.
