Che, Changeling, The Class & The Wrestler—just a few of the prestigious film titles showing at The 46th annual New York Film Festival September 26-October 12, 2008 Written by Frank J. Avella Opposite Photo: Angelina Jolie in The Changeling Click here for New York Film Festival Reviews

Last year’s New York Film Festival premiered the Oscar winning No Country for Old Men, directed by the Brothers Coen as well as the acclaimed films Persepolis, The Darjeeling Limited, the underrated Margot at the Wedding and my personal favorite film of 2007, Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece of melodrama, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. This year’s Fest may be less star-studded but just might prove to be even more exciting.

Now in it’s 46th year, this year’s slate boasts 28 films from 18 countries.

The Wrestler

Opening Night offers fest-vet Laurent Cantet’s Palm d’Or winner at Cannes, The Class, a fascinating docu-style depiction of a year in the life of a teacher and his Junior high school class in an urban section of Paris. The Festival Centerpiece will be Clint Eastwood’s already highly-acclaimed Changeling starring Angelina Jolie. The Closing Night presentation is Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, with Mickey Rourke in a performance already being Oscar-buzzed. The film co-stars Marisa Tomei.

Benicio Del Toro in Che

One of the most anticipated motion pictures showing this year is Steven Soderbergh’s controversial 2-part bio-pic, Che, starring Benicio Del Toro. The film’s running time is close to four and a half hours.

Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky

Fest fav Mike Leigh returns with his best film in years, Happy-Go-Lucky. The Brit pic boasts an unforgettable, Oscar-worthy performance by Sally Hawkins.

Waltz with Bashir

In addition, Ari Folman’s animated-documentary, Waltz with Bashir, from Israel, is easily one of the most provocative and best films of the year so far.

Gomorrah

Italy is repped by Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah, a searing look at the Camorrah’s destructive influence in Naples.

Other notable films include: Wong Kar-wai’s newly restored Ashes of Time Redux; Steven McQueen’s Hunger, the story of IRA member Bobby Sands; Olivier Assayas’ Summer Hours with the divine Juliette Binoche and Kelly Reichardt’s cinema-verite’-esque Wendy and Lucy featuring impressive work by Michelle Williams.

This year’s NYFF Selection Committee consists of: Richard Peña, chairman and program director at the Film Society; Kent Jones, associate director of programming at the Film Society; Scott Foundas, film editor and chief film critic for L.A. Weekly; J. Hoberman, senior film critic at The Village Voice; and Lisa Schwarzbaum, film critic at Entertainment Weekly.

The 46th annual New York Film Festival begins on September 26th and runs through October 12th.

TICKET INFORMATION
PRICES ~ PURCHASING OPTIONS ~ VENUES

Tickets are on sale online and at the Avery Fisher Hall box office, corner of Columbus Avenue and 65th St.

On Saturday, September 27, tickets will go on sale at the Ziegfeld Theatre box office, 141 West 54th St.

TICKET PRICES

Main Slate
Best available seat location for reserved seat screenings.
ZIEGFELD THEATRE: $16/$35 in the Orchestra (Rows A-D, 1st four rows) & Loge (Rows HHH-LLL, last four rows); $20/$40 in the Orchestra (Rows E-CC) & the Loge (Rows AAA-GGG)
AVERY FISHER HALL: $20 in the Orchestra (Rows A-D), 2nd Tier (all rows) & 3rd Tier (all rows); $40 Orchestra (Rows E-SS) & 1st Tier (all rows).

Special Events and Panels
WALTER READE THEATER: $16 or $20 (unreserved seating)

HBO Films Dialogues
KAPLAN PENTHOUSE: $16 (unreserved seating)

In the Realm of Oshima
WALTER READE THEATER: $11; $8 senior (62+); $7 Film Society member & student (with valid ID) and child (6-12, accompanied by an adult)~ unreserved seating

Views from the Avant-Garde
WALTER READE THEATER: $11; $8 senior (62+); $7 Film Society member & student (with valid ID) and child (6-12, accompanied by an adult)~ unreserved seating

Rush Tickets
Pending availability, $10 Senior(62+)/Student Rush tickets go on sale day-of performance only for NYFF Main Slate Films, Special Events & HBO Films Dialogues. Valid, current ID required. Limit one rush ticket per person.

Ticket Availability
Tickets often become available on the day-of performance at the theater’s box office. Tickets may be released to the standby line before showtime. For more information about ticket availability please call 212-875-5050.

Please Note
Tickets & prices for all NYFF events subject to availability. No refunds or exchanges.

TICKET PURCHASING OPTIONS

ONLINE (tickets.filmlinc.com)
Purchase tickets to ALL New York Film Festival events; Visa & MasterCard / $1.50 handling charge per ticket. Please note: there is limited online ticket availability for some NYFF screenings and events. On a daily basis tickets often become available again online ~ so please check back. Or call 212-875-5050 for information about ticket availability at the Avery Fisher Hall box office.

IN PERSON

Avery Fisher Hall Box Office
Purchase tickets to all Ziegfeld Theatre screenings, Walter Reade Theater special event screenings and panels (excludes Oshima Sidebar and Views from the Avant-Garde screenings) and HBO Films Dialogues. All major credit cards accepted. Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm; Sun 12:00 noon – 6pm

Walter Reade Theater Box Office
Purchase tickets to all Oshima Sidebar and Views from the Avant-Garde screenings, as well as all Walter Reade Theater special event screenings, and HBO Films Dialogues. Cash only transactions. Hours: Box office opens at 12:30pm Mon - Fri, and one half hour before the first screening on Sat & Sun. Closes every day 15 minutes after the beginning of the last show. Closes at 6pm when there are no evening screenings.

Ziegfeld Theatre Box Office
Beginning Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m.: purchase tickets to all Ziegfeld Theatre screenings, Walter Reade Theater special event screenings and panels (excludes Oshima Sidebar and Views from the Avant-Garde screenings) and HBO Films Dialogues. All major credit cards accepted.

BY PHONE (CENTERCHARGE, 212.721.6500)
Purchase tickets to all Ziegfeld Theatre screenings, Walter Reade Theater special event screenings and panels (excludes Oshima Sidebar and Views from the Avant-Garde screenings) and HBO Films Dialogues. All major credit cards accepted / $6.00 handling charge per ticket. Hours: Mon - Sun 9am - 9pm except Sun Sep 7 (Noon - 9pm).

PLEASE NOTE
Ticket orders placed online or by phone should be redeemed day-of performance at the event venue.

VENUES:
see venue for detailed information including: maps, directions & seating charts.

Avery Fisher Hall
Lincoln Center
Broadway at 65th Street

Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse
Lincoln Center
Rose Building, 10th Floor
65th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue, upper level

Walter Reade Theater
Lincoln Center
65th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue, upper level

Ziegfeld Theatre
141 West 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
Please note: the Ziegfeld Theatre is NOT wheelchair accessible. For further information call (212)875-5610.


NYFF Complete Schedule:
Available HERE in calendar format. ADOBE ACROBAT READER is required to download the festival schedule.