As we continue to mourn the passing of Maggie Smith, it's the perfect time to celebrate cinema and give film enthusiasts what they crave. We suggest diving into Smith's extensive filmography, including revisiting our Harry Potter collection and rewatching 'Godsford Park.' This week's recommendations are packed with new movie releases and film festivals, such as the Reykjavík International Film Festival and three others mentioned below. If exhibitions are more your style, check out our list of 14 upcoming autumn exhibitions across the continent, including Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson's takeover of some of the world's largest public spaces. Meanwhile, we've highlighted everything from a fantastic Helen Frankenthaler exhibit in Florence to the vibrant dancehall vibes of Ezra Collective's new album, and the lackluster return of 'Emmanuelle' in cinemas. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy!
'Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without Rules' at Palazzo Strozzi (Florence, Italy): This exhibition showcases one of the most inspiring post-war American painters for over six decades. Known for her soak-stain technique, Frankenthaler became an icon of 20th-century abstract expressionism. The exhibition, open until 26 January 2025, features paintings and sculptures from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and other private collections, offering a comprehensive view of her career.
'Game on Gallery' at the Kolowrat Palace (Prague, Czech Republic): If you're still missing the Olympics, this exhibition of the World Sports Photography Awards is the perfect remedy. It features over 100 photographs of 25 different sports, selected from thousands of entries, and includes an extensive selection of Markéta Navrátilová's photography from the Tour de France.
'Sound & Vision' online auction (London, UK): This auction event, inspired by Bowie's lyric 'We like dancing and we look divine,' features works by 33 renowned artists, including George Underwood, who designed some of Bowie's most famous album covers. Hosted by War Child UK and Art on a Postcard, the auction runs until 1 October.
'London Film Festival' (UK) and 'Lumière Festival' (Lyon, France): Two major film festivals are starting soon, offering a plethora of choices for cinephiles. The BFI London Film Festival includes favorites from Cannes and Venice, while the Lumière Festival in Lyon specializes in cult and restored movies, with Isabelle Huppert receiving the prestigious Lumière Prize.
'Filmoramax: Festival International du court-métrage' (Lyon, France): This festival celebrates short films from around the world, with 40 films shown over five days, including an international competition. French actress Anne Marivin will oversee the jury, awarding nine prizes, including the Filmoramax Grand Prize.
Emmanuelle: This remake of the infamous 1974 softcore porn movie stars Noémie Merlant as the titular character seeking erotic fulfillment in China. Despite its potential, it's described as a 'strangely dispassionate and pointless drama.'
Megalopolis: Francis Ford Coppola's $120 million passion project has been widely panned by critics, including being called a 'disastrous folly' and 'insane baroque fever dream.'
Wolfs (Apple TV+): This comedy-thriller about two corpse-disposal operatives (George Clooney, Brad Pitt) is a light-hearted filler for a Friday night.
Nobody Wants This (Netflix): This Netflix show, arriving just in time for autumn, is a romantic comedy loosely based on the creator's own experiences of converting to Judaism after meeting her husband.
Ezra Collective: 'Dance, No One’s Watching': The British jazz quintet's new album is a spirited, soul-lifting call to happiness and self-expression.
The Cure: 'Alone': After a 16-year hiatus, The Cure has released their first new single from the upcoming album 'Songs Of A Lost World,' offering a balm for goth fans.
Lady Gaga: 'Harlequin': Lady Gaga has announced two new albums, one of which is a surprise soundtrack titled 'Harlequin,' a companion to 'Joker: Folie À Deux.'
