The Ten Best Films to See at the Brisbane International Film Festival

The Brisbane International Film Festival is showcasing dozens upon dozens of amazing films from around the world, so it is understandable if you find the process of selecting what to watch a little bit daunting.

Fear not! We have made it easier for you with a selection of films that we think are some of the must-sees of the festival, encompassing Hollywood fare, international offerings, documentaries and obscure arthouse gems. There's lots more to see, so keep in mind that BIFF sells tickets in groups of six, twelve and twenty-five so, you know, you can see everything if you want to.

Only Lovers Left Alive

Jim Jarmusch is a cinematic maverick. Known for gritty, indie hits like Dead Man and Ghost Dog, Jarmusch is great at conveying desperation and humour with his unconventional style, and Only Lovers Left Alive looks to continue that trend. This film stars Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska.

Don Jon

Hollywood heartthrob, Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes his writing and directorial debut with Don Jon, a tale about a man’s struggles with an internet porn addiction and its affects on his sex and love life. This is a comedy with a bit of an unexpected edge; it also features fellow good-looker Scarlett Johansson.

Big Sur

Kerouac fans will get a kick out of this film, which depicts the writer in a successful yet stressful stage of his career. Director Michael Polish has created a film that manages to accurately portray the acclaimed writer, his thoughts on life and his internal struggles.

Filth

Continuing the trend of gritty films on show this year is Filth, a surreal and sleaze-drenched tale of a Scottish detective whose morals lie on the wrong side of the law. In a world of sex, drugs and crime, Filth is a thriller that is as mind-bending as it is confronting. It stars James McAvoy.

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer

The world took notice when the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, was detained for an allegedly illegal protest. The world declared the imprisonment of members of the band a criminal offense in itself. This documentary delves into the trial of Pussy Riot and their transformation into symbols of youth resistance and punk idols.

Mistaken for Strangers

If you have heard the brooding, beautiful music from The National, then you might be interested in this fly-on-the-wall look at the inner workings of the band on tour. Filmed by Tom Berninger (brother to The National’s lead singer, Matt), Mistaken for Strangers is a funny and touching look at one of the biggest bands on the planet.

Blue Is the Warmest Colour

You may have heard about this Palme d’Or winning film due to its sexual content, but Blue Is the Warmest Colour is being hailed as a passionate tale of love between two young women. Despite the sex, this could be one of the best films at BIFF, but just to be safe, maybe don’t go and see it with your parents.

The Grandmaster

As one of many international films on display at BIFF, The Grandmaster is a brilliant example of filmmaking from another culture. The Grandmaster is about Ip Man (the guy who trained Bruce Lee!) and blends martial arts with substance as the film depicts the political and cultural landscape of Ip’s youth. This film is directed by renowned auteur Wong Kar-wai.

The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith

As part of BIFF’s retrospective on the work of Fred Schepisi, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith is a classic piece of Australian cinema based on the novel by Thomas Keneally. This was the first piece of Australian cinema to ever premiere at Cannes, so not only is it an important story, the film itself is also a major landmark in Australian cinematic history.

12 Years a Slave

12 Years A Slave is the closing night film of BIFF this year, and they couldn’t have made a better choice. This film is generating a lot of Oscar buzz thanks to the inspired performances by its lead actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor and its visionary director, Steve McQueen. This movie is being hailed as the most important films about slavery made to date — it could also be one of the best films of the decade.

The Brisbane International Film Festival is on from November 11-24, 2013. To see the full program and book tickets, visit the festival website.