Week 1 of the St. Louis International Film Festival offers global cinema treasures

The 31st Annual St. Louis International Film Festival begins November 3 and runs through November 13. As always, the films selected from across the globe, with forty-two countries represented, range from fictional narratives to documentaries, features to shorts. The first week, November 3 to 7, includes a treasure trove of extraordinary films I highlight here.

British director Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light” screens opening night at the Galleria. The always remarkable Olivia Colman plays Hilary Small, who sells tickets and concessions at the Empire cinema, 1980s England. Mendes’ love letter to old-fashioned, gorgeous cinemas engages with Britain’s racism when Hilary and new hire Stephen, a young Black man, bond. Complicated by Hilary’s mental challenges and her boss’ sexual abuse, the story incorporates a spectrum of issues presented in an entertaining package that makes its points without overstating them.

In documentaries, the fascinating “After Sherman” richly illustrates South Carolina’s Gullah culture through director Jon-Sesrie Goff’s recollections of historical and current racist events. The site of trauma and reclamation, coastal Georgetown housed a Black community of resilience and pride. Closer for us, Joseph Puleo’s “A New Home” documents the St. Louis Bosnian immigrant community within the context of their war horrors and the terror of massacres, at times perpetrated by neighbors. Historical information adds solid perspective to engaging Bosnian individuals on camera who add personal insights and experiences.

Classic films will also be shown, including Lina Wertmüller’s “The Seduction of Mimi” (1972), Gordon Parks’ “Super Fly” (1972), and Ida Lupino’s “The Bigamist” (1953), plus a 2021 documentary on iconic director Lupino. In addition, compilations of narrative shorts and documentary shorts are offered, with one narrative shorts program from the Cannes Film Festival. Virtual access is available for all twenty-one shorts programs. Screenings take place at several locations, including Webster University, Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema, Washington University, SIU-Edwardsville, and the Contemporary Art Museum. You may peruse the schedule and watch film trailers at cinemastlouis.org.