We will finally get a look at JC Chandor’s cloaked in mystery crime thriller, A Most Violent Year. Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga says about A Most Violent Year, “J.C. Chandor has put together a remarkable crime drama, which is also an immersive period piece and morality tale that resonates on an emotional level. Chandor is a talented director who takes risks with every film that he makes and A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is no exception. It is a great film with which to open the festival and begin the audience’s eight-day journey through a landscape of extraordinary contemporary cinema.”
Fairly excited by this news, I’m not gonna lie. Though it is late in the game to be entering the Oscar race, but not too late. It will be the flip side of how he rolled out All Is Lost, a film that was sadly hindered by its one and only star, Robert Redford, refusing to show up at any major publicity events. As we all know, the Oscar race these days means you have to get there and “kiss babies” or else you will soon be eclipsed. The diminishing of the star factors into this a bit – as very few can earn a nod without showing up. I suppose Judi Dench is one of these, and perhaps Max Von Sydow. At any rate, no one campaigned harder than the team behind All is Lost. It was a classy campaign with the hardest working team in town. But there is only so much you can do when your MVP is MIA.
Such will not be the case with A Most violent Year. The affable Oscar Isaac and the charming Jessica Chastain will show up, no doubt. So far, for me, Chandor is 2/2 – a dedicated and talented auteur still interested in making good films from the ground up – with good writing, acting and directing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES, CA, September 24, 2014 – The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that A24’s A MOST VIOLENT YEAR will have its World Premiere on Thursday, November 6, as the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2014 presented by Audi. The film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee J.C. Chandor and stars Oscar Isaac, Academy Award® nominees Jessica Chastain and Albert Brooks as well as David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Elyes Gabel and Catalina Sandino Moreno.
“J.C. Chandor has put together a remarkable crime drama, which is also an immersive period piece and morality tale that resonates on an emotional level. Chandor is a talented director who takes risks with every film that he makes and A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is no exception. It is a great film with which to open the festival and begin the audience’s eight-day journey through a landscape of extraordinary contemporary cinema,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST.
To attend the World Premiere and Opening Night Gala of A MOST VIOLENT YEAR with reserved seats, guests must purchase a festival package at the Star Patron or Marquee Patronlevel. These and other AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes – which can include access to sold-out Galas and other high-demand films and events – are on sale now at AFI.com/AFIFEST. AFI members at the Two-Star level and above receive a 10% discount on all AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes. AFI Members will be given access to regular screenings with a Cinepass for this year’s festival. Information about AFI Membership is available at AFI.com/membership. The American Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and cultural organization, and Patron Packages are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Free individual tickets to AFI FEST screenings and Galas will be available to the general public online at AFI.com/AFIFEST beginning Friday, October 24.
AFI FEST will take place November 6 through 13 in Hollywood, California, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. As previously announced, Sophia Loren will be honored with a Tribute on Wednesday, November 12 and her memoir “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life” will be published by Artia Books on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. The full festival lineup will be unveiled in October.
For the 11th year, Audi is the festival’s presenting sponsor. Additional top sponsors include AT&T; Coca-Cola; Vizio; American Airlines, the official airline of AFI; and Stella Artois. The festival’s venue sponsors include the TCL Chinese Theatres, the Hollywood & Highland Center, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the Egyptian Theatre.
About A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
Set in 1981, during one of the most crime-ridden winters in New York City’s history, A MOST VIOLENT YEAR follows the lives of Abel and Anna Morales (Isaac and Chastain) as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream, while the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.About the American Film Institute
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film – now in its 42nd year; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.About AFI FEST presented by Audi
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today’s Hollywood – an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. This year’s edition takes place November 6-13, 2014. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFIFEST.About Audi
Audi of America Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered 1,575,500 vehicles to customers globally in 2013, and broke all-time company sales records for the fourth straight year in the U.S. Through 2018, AUDI AG will invest about $30 billion in new products, facilities and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.
