American Independent Film Festival kicks off today. Mary-Louise Parker is the special guest of the event

Two of the most highly anticipated films of this summer will have their premiere screenings in Bucharest as part of the second part of the 7th edition of the American Independent Film Festival. Movie enthusiasts are invited to Cinema Elvire Popesco on Saturday, June 24th, to see ASTEROID CITY, the latest film by the beloved director Wes Anderson, and TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett in the lead role.

American Independent Film Festival: TAR

American Independent Film Festival: Asteroid City

Free movie screenings at Roaba de cultura

Moreover, the festival welcomes you between 23-25 June at Roaba de cultură, in Herăstrău Park, with a program of free outdoor screenings that include a selection of beloved films throughout the years. The series will open on Friday, June 23rd, with the iconic “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S” – a romantic comedy directed by Blake Edwards, released by Paramount Pictures on October 5th, 1961. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards (winning two) and six Grammy Awards (winning five). It was a commercial success and highly praised by critics. In 2012, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.” The central role in the film is played by the “captivating” Audrey Hepburn (Time Magazine), who joined the cast after Marilyn Monroe (for whom the character was originally written) declined the role following the advice of Lee Strasberg (theatre director, theorist, and renowned acting teacher). Truman Capote, the author of the novel on which the screenplay was based, never agreed with Hepburn’s casting and stated multiple times: “Paramount double-crossed me in every way by casting Audrey.” Despite these controversies, Hepburn in the role of Holly, with her hair in a high bun and carrying an oversized cigarette holder, is considered one of the most iconic images in 20th-century American cinema.

The dark comedy “HAIL, CAESAR!” written, produced, edited, and directed by the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen, will be screened on the big screen in Herăstrău Park on Saturday, June 24th. The film, starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum, is set in the 1950s and follows the fictional story of a real-life character, Eddie Mannix (Brolin), a businessman and producer in Hollywood who strives to keep the studio’s stars in line. With worldwide box office earnings of over $63 million, the film was a true public success in 2016, garnering multiple nominations at the film academies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Based on the life and career of British musician Elton John, “ROCKETMAN” had its world premiere at Cannes in 2019, marking the culmination of a project that started as early as 2000. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, the film is a musical fantasy about the human and fantastical story of John’s successful years, starting from his beginnings in England. It is titled after his 1972 song, “Rocket Man.” Taron Egerton portrays the superstar, singing his compositions throughout the film. With over $195 million in worldwide box office receipts, compared to its $40 million budget, “ROCKETMAN” received positive reviews from critics, with Egerton being praised for his performance as “dazzling as Elton John” (The Independent). The film will be screened on Sunday, June 25th.

Audiences are invited to Roaba de cultură to enjoy warm summer evenings in a relaxed atmosphere with three emblematic films from overseas cinema. Admission to all screenings and events at this location will be free.

Meeting with Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker is the special guest of AIFF.7. The American star will meet the audience on Saturday at 2:30 PM at Cinema Elvire Popesco. Known to audiences worldwide for her roles in “Boys on the Side,” “RED,” the miniseries “Angels in America,” and the television series “Weeds,” Mary-Louise Parker is the special guest of this year’s American Independent Film Festival.

The award-winning actress, who has received accolades such as the Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony, and many other prestigious international awards, will be present at the screening of her film “Romance & Cigarettes” during the festival. The screening will take place on Saturday, June 24th, at 2:30 PM at Cinema Elvire Popesco, where she will meet the audience and answer their questions. Parker will be accompanied by her son, who will also present his new film.

In addition to her career in film, television, and theater (with numerous performances on Broadway and Off-Broadway), Parker has been a regular contributor to Esquire magazine for over a decade, and her writings have appeared in The New York Times, O Magazine, Bullett, Glamour, The Riveter, Hemispheres, and others. Her first book, “Dear Mr. You,” has been translated into five languages and was recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the best books of the year.

Together with Elizabeth Cuthrell, she produced and directed the award-winning commercial “Stop The Hate” in response to the increased attacks on people of color following the events of September 11th. Her humanitarian efforts in the United States and East Africa have been recognized by the David Lynch Foundation and the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights, and her work in support of the LGBTQ community has been acknowledged by the Hetrick-Martin Institute, The NYC LGBT Center, GLAAD, and OUT Magazine.

Directed by John Turturro, “Romance & Cigarettes” is a musical that doesn’t shy away from anything. Set in the working-class world of New York, the film tells the story of an unfaithful husband and his spiritual journey for redemption. He must choose between his seductive mistress and his wife… and all the problems that come with it. The film also stars Kate Winslet, Susan Sarandon, and Steve Buscemi.

Full program of the event is avaialable here.