Film: Six Directors to Watch -October 2008
Who
Laurent Cantet, French director of the moody psychodrama Heading South (2005).
Next Up
The Class: New York Film Festival (September 26–October 12); in theaters in December.
Why You Should Watch
Set in a tough Parisian school, it took the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
Who
Ari Folman, Israeli director of the offbeat teen romance Clara Hakedosha (1996).
Next Up
Waltz with Bashir, in theaters December 26.
Why You Should Watch
The director explores his amnesia about fighting in Lebanon for the Israeli Army in this intense, animated documentary.
Who
Matteo Garrone, Italian director of the sexy dark comedy The Embalmer (2002).
Next Up
Gomorra: AFI Fest in Los Angeles (October 30–November 9); in theaters late this year.
Why You Should Watch
The hard-hitting Cannes Grand Prix winner delves into Neapolitan mafiosi—but without the usual gangster glamour.
Who
Tomas Alfredson, Swedish director of Four Shades of Brown (2004), four takes on Swedish fatherhood.
Next Up
Let the Right One In, in theaters October 24.
Why You Should Watch
This coming-of-age tale—complete with Swedish vampires—is bizarrely successful, in the vein of Pan’s Labyrinth.
Who
Philippe Claudel, author of the novel Grey Souls (2003).
Next Up
I’ve Loved You So Long, in theaters October 24.
Why You Should Watch
It was a huge hit in France; Kristin Scott Thomas plays an ex-convict in a drama exploring modern French relationships.
Who
Nacho Vigalondo, Spanish director of the Oscar-nominated short 7:35 in the Morning.
Next Up
Timecrimes, in theaters in December.
Why You Should Watch
This thriller about a time machine in the Spanish countryside will bend your mind, in a good way.