The New York Film Festival is wrapping up its first week, which began last Friday with the North American premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s controversial academic thriller “After the Hunt.” The other world premiere that sparked debate was Ronan Day-Lewis’ “Anemone,” which brings his father, Daniel Day-Lewis, out of acting retirement for his first onscreen role since 2017’s “Phantom Thread.”
And speaking of Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another” debuted to $22 million domestic in its first weekend at the box office. On this week’s episode of IndieWire’s “Screen Talk” podcast, co-hosts Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio preview second-weekend chances for the action thriller, which is screening in a variety of formats from 70mm IMAX to VistaVision around the country. It’s also a major Oscar player, positioning Anderson to potentially win his first Oscar after years of also-ran nominations on films from “Magnolia” to “There Will Be Blood” and “Phantom Thread.” Anne hears good word-of-mouth from Academy voters, who are turning up for “One Battle After Another” with an enthusiastic response.
With Anne now joining Ryan in New York, we discuss receptions to films including “After the Hunt” (which was mixed out of NYFF opening night but has a chance with Golden Globes voters) and “Anemone.” While Ryan liked Ronan Day-Lewis’ dark, surreal two-hander about estranged British brothers (Sean Bean stars opposite Daniel Day-Lewis) with a few secrets dating back to the Troubles of Northern Ireland, Anne had quibbles about some of the film’s artistic choices that we both share in.
Meanwhile, the talk of the town this week was an AI “actor” named Tilly Norwood, a very much not real person created by artificial intelligence talent studio Xicoia. SAG-AFTRA released a statement decrying the AI performer, for whom the studio has been sharing headshots, selfies, and motion graphics via social media. Will the statement make an impact? As Anne explains, the stable has opened, the horses are galloping out of it, and the AI revolution is here. We can’t stop what’s coming.
As a reminder, Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio will host a “Screen Talk” Live at the New York Film Festival on Monday, October 6 at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at 4 p.m. at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Attendance is free, and our special guest is Daniel Battsek, the new president of Film at Lincoln Center, who will join us for a lively discussion with audience questions.
Listen to this week’s “Screen Talk” podcast below.
