by Maria Manuela on
FAST BECOMING ONE OF the most anticipated film festivals in the Southwest, the Santa Fe International Film Festival turns the City Different into a cinephile’s paradise with hundreds of films screenings, panel discussions, and parties at venues all around town October 14–19. “The theme of the festival arists arises out of the movies,” says Jacques Paisner, artistic director of the festival. “We don’t set out with one in mind.”
New Mexico Magazine: What’s the lineup looking like this year?
Jacques Paisner: We have had films from more than 100 countries submitted, and somewhere around 200 will screen, which includes 65 features and 135 shorts. We are really excited about Wild Horse Nine, starring John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, and Sam Rockwell. It’s a very funny comedy that takes place in the 1970s during the coup of the president of Chile. We are also really looking forward to showing The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, featuring Giancarlo Esposito, who just received the festival’s’ Visionary Award at our gala in July. I love that it is an auteur-driven film written and directed by Noah Segan. I am a big fan of his work.
NMM: What do you look for when you are seeking a film that will be popular?
JP: That’s the special sauce, I guess. Whether it's a powerful performance or compelling writing or powerful skill coming from the director who's a real artist, all of those things stand out and make it clear to myself and the other programmers that it will be a hit.
NMM: Who are you honoring with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award?
JP: We all know her from Foxy Brown (1974) and Jackie Brown (1997),: Pam Grier. She’s an incredible singer and an American icon whose talent is unmatched. The way she has raised the bar on what is possible in a film has changed acting and moviemaking.