Week 2 of the St. Louis International Film Festival offers diversity in exceptional films

The 31st Annual St. Louis International Film Festival runs through November 13. The festival over all includes more than one hundred documentary and narrative features, twenty shorts programs, with selections from across the world, forty-two countries represented. I highlight a few of the exceptional films here.

Thursday, November 10, a determined woman investigator anchors Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s unnerving “Holy Spider,” based on horrifying, real events, the murders of sixteen women in Iran’s holy city of Mashhad. Believing in his religious duty, pious family man Saeed picks up and strangles several prostitutes, the crimes violently depicted. In a parallel plot line, journalist Rahimi refuses to let misogynistic treatment dissuade her from pursuit of the man who taunts the press. Rahimi’s unwavering resolve combines courage with frightening, at times foolhardy, personal risk. The final scenes achieve a crescendo of emotion with the concluding, haunting image beyond utterly disturbing.

The last day of the fest, writer/director Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” dramatically stages a profound debate among eight Mennonite women who have endured repeated rapes by men in their religious commune. Set in 2010 in an isolated prairie location, the women must decide to do nothing, fight, or leave. An all-star cast brings this poignant encounter to vivid life, exploring weighty ideas and difficult decisions. Kevin Shaw’s documentary “Let the Little Light Shine” is an uplifting tribute to the activists who saved the NTA (National Teachers Academy) elementary school serving a largely Black Chicago South Loop community. Parent Elisabeth Greer embraced the responsibility of a leader, coordinating protests in the streets and at school board and City Hall meetings, involving Chance the Rapper. It is as inspirational as it is electric.

Compilations of narrative shorts and documentary shorts continue, and more classic films will be celebrated: Martin Scorsese’s “Boxcar Bertha” (1972), Sydney Pollack’s “Jeremiah Johnson” (1972), Ang Lee’s elegant “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), and John Waters’ iconic “Pink Flamingoes” (1972). A bonus, Howard Hawk’s 1940 comedy classic, “His Girl Friday,” will screen immediately after a tribute to outgoing SLIFF Executive Director Cliff Froehlich. Screenings take place at several locations, including Webster University, Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac, Washington University, SIU-Edwardsville, and the Contemporary Art Museum. It’s a feast of cinema. You may peruse the schedule and watch film trailers at cinemastlouis.org..