With nearly two thousand musical acts descending on downtown Austin every March for South by Southwest, it’s probably easy for some people to forget that SXSW also hosts an internationally acclaimed, rapidly growing film festival.
This year, the festival lineup contains hundreds of films, including some world premieres, local works and other films that have already garnered significant buzz after showings at Sundance and other world-class festivals. Here’s a look at what you can expect from some of the big name films.
Leaves of Grass
Alamo South Lamar
Friday, March. 12, 9:30 p.m.
Starring Edward Norton, Keri Russell, Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon, “Leaves of Grass” tells the story of twin brothers who took vastly different paths in life. Reunited to take on the Oklahoma backwater’s drugged-up underbelly, the two brothers encounter a range of twists and turns. Fans of Edward Norton will delight in his ample screen time, as he is taking on the role of both twins. Kind of like “Parent trap,” if the “Parent Trap” twins were into faking their own deaths, drug deals gone bad and police chases.
World’s Largest
Alamo South Lamar
Friday, March. 12. 09:15 p.m.
For this documentary, filmmakers Amy Elliott and Elizabeth Donius traveled around the country to take in 58 roadside attractions claiming to be everything from the world’s largest killer bee to the world’s largest strawberry. The result, a 75 minute documentary chronicling the spirit that makes these tiny attractions dotting the American landscape special, and proof that there is still a little slice of Americana left in the modern US.
Saturday Night
Alamo Ritz
Wednesday, March. 17. 09:45 p.m.
Directed by actor James Franco, this documentary goes behind the scenes of the legendary show “Saturday Night Live” to chronicle what it takes to make an episode of the show, from the pitch table to the live broadcast. Along the way, we get a hint at the politics that come with skit and actor selection, and how they handle the guest host. The film is Franco’s directorial debut as a documentary filmmaker, and the screening at SXSW will be its world premiere.
When I Rise
The Paramount
Wednesday, March. 17. 11:30 a.m.
This film is screening in the Lone Star States category and hits close to home, by telling the story of Barbara Smith Conrad, a black music student at the University of Texas, who is cast in an opera opposite a white male student, fueling racist backlash from the Texas legislature, and attracting national media attention. It promises to e an inspirational story about overcoming adversity and the power of doing what you love.
The Runaways
The Paramount
Thursday, March. 18. 8 p.m.
“The Runaways” tells the story of the legendary 70’s female rock band of the same name. The film has received a lot of attention for placing Kristin Stewart in the role of Joan Jett, and Dakota Fanning in the role of Cherrie Currie, and the buzz has only continued after what is said to have been a positive reception at Sundance. The film is actually going to be in limited release shortly after its SXSW screening, so don’t fret if you aren’t able to make it to the glitzy screening at the Paramount, it’s coming to your local megaplex soon.
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