I've been going to BAMcinemaFest for the last few years. It's a great little film fest that takes place every June in Brooklyn for the last 6 years. In this article I will be going over some of my predictions for this year's fest (we already know Richard Linklater's "Boyhood" will open the fest on June 18th). In addition to the narrative features and several docs [the films on this list are all narrative features], the fest usually features an old film and a kids film as well as a shorts program. They also have several films (including opener "Boyhood") screening at the BAM Harvey Theater. These movies are usually higher profile films (last year, "Crystal Fairy", "The Spectacular Now" and "Short Term 12" were among that crowd). Anyway, here is my list. Feel free to comment. They are numbered but in no particular order.


1. Dear White People (Director: Justin Simien)

This film is almost certainly a lock to play BAM this year. It's a satire set at an Ivy League college.


2. Clouds of Sils Maria (Director: Olivier Assayas)

The latest from the acclaimed French filmmaker, his first in English, could possibly play at the BAM Harvey shortly after premiering at Cannes. It is being distributed by IFC. The film, about an aging actress stars Juliette Binoche and Chloe Grace Moretz.


3. Listen Up Philip (Director: Alex Ross Perry)

BAM has previously played Alex Ross Perry's "The Color Wheel". This starrier film has Jason Scwartzman and Elisabeth Moss.



4. Thou  Wast Mild and Lovely (Director: Josephine Decker)

Starring Sophie Traub (who is supposed to be amazing in it) and festival favorite Joe Swanberg, the film is being distributed by Factory 25.


5. Young Bodies Heal Quickly (Director: Andrew T. Betzer)

This seems right up BAM's alley. It recently played Tribeca. It has Kate Lyn Shiel in it. Need I say more? BAM!


6. Memphis (Director: Tim Sutton)

BAM played Sutton's "Pavilion") a couple year's back, this is another easy lock.


7. Summer of Blood (Director: Onur Tukel)

A vampire comedy set in Brooklyn. Yep, it will play BAM. I'm almost certain.


8. Fort Tilden (Directors: Sarah Violet-Bliss and Charles Rogers)

A winner at SXSW this year is this comedy about female friendships set in Brooklyn, another lock.


9. Land Ho! (Directors: Aaron Katz and Martha Stephens)

Star Paul Eenhorn was in last year's BAM selection "This is Martin Bonner". 


10. Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (Director: David Zellner)

The latest from The Zellner Brothers. This movie stars Rinko Kikuchi and is about a woman who believes The Coen Brothers' "Fargo" is a true story.


11. The One I Love (Director: Charlie McDowell)

Buzzy rom-com starring Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss.


12. Creep (Director: Patrick Brice)

Will genre fare return to BAM this year? (they played the original "V/H/S" way back) maybe. I hope so. This Mark Duplass-starrer might do the trick....


13. Love is Strange (Director: Ira Sachs)

Alfred Molina and John Lithgow play a married couple living apart. Sure to play at the BAM Harvey.


14. About Alex (Director: Jesse Zwick) 

Crowd pleaser with an all-star cast. BAM Harvey?


15. Faults (Director: Riley Stearns)

Movie about cults starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Directed by her husband. 


16. Match (Director: Stephen Belber)

Patrick Stewart and Carla Gugino star in this film based on a biting play. Played at Tribeca.


17. Low Down (Director: Jeff Preiss)

Elle Fanning and John Hawkes star in heroin addiction drama that played Sundance.


18. Whiplash (Director: Damien Chezelle)

It opened Sundance. It will close BAM. Mark my words. 


19. The Skeleton Twins (Director: Craig Johnson)

Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig in a dark comedy about sibling bonds.


20. The Voices (Director: Marjane Satrapi)

Ryan Reynolds/Anna Kendrick film about... A guy who hears his dog and cat talking to him. I really hope this plays BAM.


21. Happy Christmas (Director: Joe Swanberg)

Another film with Anna Kendrick. Another lock, especially with Swanberg at the helm.


22. Honeymoon (Director: Leigh Jasniak)

It's genre but I hope they play this acclaimed SXSW offering anyway.


23. The Heart Machine (Director: Zachary Wigon) 

Kate Lyn Sheil alert! BAM will play this 


24. I Believe in Unicorns (Director: Leah Meyerhoff)

"Believe" star Johnny Sequoyah is in this film. Yes, I realize it's a small role but she's insanely popular right now.


25. Wild Canaries (Director: Lawrence Michael Levine)

Bam loves Sophia Takal. This reunites her with Lawrence amichael Levine.


26. Open Windows (Director: Nacho Vigalondo)

Again, it's genre but Wood and Grey and even Vigalondo have serious star power!


27. Buzzard (Director: Joel Potrykus)

From the director of "Ape".


If I had to narrow it down to 10 IMHO definites:

1. Dear White People

2. Thou Wast Mild and Lovely

3. Young Bodies Heal Quickly

4. Summer of Blood

5. Fort Tilden

6. Whiplash

7. Happy Christmas

8. The Heart Machibe

9. Wild Canaries

10. Buzzard


The festival's official announcement will hopefully be soon. Feel free to comment and share your own predictions! :)




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