Q&A: Jason Kohn’s ‘Love Means Zero’ is Shakespearean Tennis Tale

With his notorious no-nonsense approach to coaching, Nick Bollettieri is regarded as a controversial figure in the world of tennis—but also, crucially, as a mentor with the know-how to push players to greatness in LOVE MEANS ZERO. Director Jason Kohn balances the pointed questions to his subject, who remains intransigent throughout, with interviews with many […]

Q&A: Atsuko Hirayanagi’s ‘Oh Lucy!’ Finds Newfound Confidence

In this offbeat tale, OH LUCY! follows Setsuko Kawashima (Shinobu Terajima)—a lonely, chain-smoking introvert who is wasting away at her office job in Tokyo. Setsuko’s world is turned upside down when she meets a charismatic English teacher, John (Josh Hartnett), who draws her out of her shell with the help of a blond wig and the […]

Q&A: Jennifer Peedom Paints a Pastoral Picture in ‘Mountain’

Narrated by Willem Dafoe, MOUNTAIN takes the viewer on a sweeping journey to the most awe-inspiring summits on earth. A collaboration between BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom and Richard Tognetti’s Australian Chamber Orchestra, the film glorifies our species’ pursuit of peril: from ice climbers, snowboarders, and wing-suiters, the thrill-seekers’ daredevil antics will leave audiences gasping for breath. […]

Q&A: Kaveh Mazaheri’s ‘Retouch’ is Hauntingly Thoughtful

In RETOUCH, when her husband suffers a serious accident, Maryam makes a fateful choice. Directed by Kaveh Mazaheri. Screening in the I’ll Be On My Way shorts program at HIFF25. What an amazing yet shocking film you’ve made! Please describe RETOUCH in your own words. Kaveh Mazaheri: Thank you so much. RETOUCH is a minimal and somehow complex […]

Q&A: Jeff Deutchman Follows Fellow Voting Americans in ’11/8/16′

On the day of the 2016 presidential election, filmmaker Jeff Deutchman surveys the thoughts and feelings of ordinary Americans as they head to the ballot box. Told in brief vignettes from across the country and focusing on voters from every side of the political spectrum—ranging from a Sikh man and his family in New York […]