Different film festivals change the direction of the Oscar race – Sundance, Cannes, Venice and now, the New York Film Festival has, in recent years, pushed a strong contender into the race. This year, the New York Times reports that Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips, will open the fest, giving attendees the first big chance to see the film. The funny thing about it is that when people come out of it, the response is generally mixed. Life of Pi last year didn’t seem to connect with that audience, and if anyone took the general reception as any indicator of Oscar promise they were way behind. The same went for Hugo the year before.
That means, if the film has a mixed reception it can’t mean much. Captain Phillips is the story of a living American hero, one among many true stories featured in films this year.
The film festival runs from September 27, through October 13.