2019 | feature narrative | 113 min
2019 | English | USA
In the wake of a botched execution under her watch, prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard) finds herself questioning her position, her home life, and the ethical consequences of the work she oversees. The arrival of the newest death row inmate, Anthony Woods (Aldis Hodge, HIFF 2019 Breakthrough Artist), along with the lawyer, relatives, and protestors fighting for his release, further complicates the increasingly undeniable truth—that under her professional, strong-willed demeanor, she is quickly approaching a breaking point. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, writer-director Chinonye Chukwu’s CLEMENCY is a thought-provoking look at the psychological effects of capital punishment, anchored by Woodard’s career-best performance at its center.
2019 | feature narrative | 95 min
WORLD PREMIERE
2019 | English | USA
Once a promising painter herself, Claire (Lena Olin) gave up on her own career to stand by the side of her famed abstract artist husband Richard (Bruce Dern) for over 20 years. When Richard is unexpectedly diagnosed with dementia during preparations for his latest exhibition, Claire is thrown into a crisis—suddenly torn between her husband’s erratic mood swings and the need to shield his illness from both the art community and their family. Struggling to regain control of her life, Claire takes up painting once again, and must decide whether to stay in the shadows or step into the spotlight.
• This film is also part of the Views From Long Island section
2019 | feature narrative | 101 min
EAST COAST PREMIERE
2019 | English | UK
In 1862, daredevil balloon pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) teams up with pioneering meteorologist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) to advance human knowledge of the weather and fly higher than anyone in history. While breaking records and furthering scientific discovery, their voyage to the very edge of existence helps the unlikely pair find their place in the world they have left far below them. But they face physical and emotional challenges in the thin air, as the ascent becomes a fight for survival.
