NYWIFT Blog

By Judith Davis

The 2022 New York Film Festival was held from September 30to October 16, 2022, and this was the 60th anniversary of the annual NYC event. While there was a sea of amazing film screenings at the festival, there were three specific films (Tár, Till, and The Inspection), I covered that all had women producers as a significant part of the team.

Being a member of New York Women in Film & Television made it even more important to highlight these impressive women (Alexandra Milchan, Whoopi Goldberg, and Effie T. Brown respectively).  

NYWIFT member Judith Davis at the 2022 New York Film Festival

First on Saturday, October 1, there was the highly anticipated film Till based on the heart-wrenching and gruesome death of 14-year-old Emmitt Till who was brutally murdered/lynched in 1955 by a group of white supremacists in Mississippi. There has been a documentary about this story, but this specific narrative feature, according to producer and past NYWIFT Muse honoree Whoopi Goldberg, took 10 years to get made.

The film was directed by Chinonye Chukwu, who may be mostly known for her films Clemency (2019) in and A Long Walk Home (2013). Actress and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg portrayed Mamie Till’s mother, in addition to being one of the producers on the film. 

The creative team of Till:  Chinonye Chukwu, Danielle Deadwyler, Whoopi Goldberg, Jalyn Hall, John Douglas Thompson, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Jayme Lawson.

Till Director Chinonye Chukwu

Till Film Actress and Producer Whoopi Goldberg

Till Film Actor Jalyn Hall

Till Film Actress Danielle Deadwyler

NYWIFT member Judith Davis at NYFF

Another highly anticipated movie release which was part of the New York Film Festival, was the premiere of Tár. The film was screened on Monday, October 3, followed by a press conference with the cast. The film was directed by Todd Field and stars Cate Blanchett, a supporter of NYWIFT The Writers Lab, and was produced by Alexandra Milchan. Milchan is known for The Silence (2019), Bullet to the Head (2012), Street Kings (2008).

Tár is the story of renowned musician Lydia Tár who is days away from recording the symphony that will elevate her career. When all elements seem to conspire against her, Lydia’s adopted daughter Petra becomes an integral emotional support for her struggling mother. Cate Blanchett, as with most of the many films she has been a part of in the past, gives another outstanding performance. 

Tár Actress Cate Blanchett

The Tár Creative Team: Hildur Guðnadóttir, Sophie Kauer, Todd Field, Nina Hoss, Cate Blanchett

Tár Actress Sophie Kauer

Tár Director Todd Field

Tár Actress Nina Hoss

Tár Musician Hildur Guðnadóttir

The closing night film was The Inspection directed by Elegance Bratton with Effie T. Brown as one of the producers on the film. The film was screened on Friday, October 14 followed by a press conference. The Inspection follows the story of a young gay man rejected by his mother, who finds unexpected strength, camaraderie, and support after he joins the Marines. 

The Inspection creative team: Effie T. Brown, Chester Gordon Elegance Bratton, Raul Castillo, Gabrielle Union, and Jeremy Pope

The Inspection Actress Gabrielle Union

The Inspection Actor Jeremy Pope

The Inspection Producer Effie T. Brown

The Inspection Actor Raul Castillo

The Inspection Director Elegance Bratton

The Inspection creative team: Effie T. Brown, Elegance Bratton, Chester Gordon, Raul Castillo, Gabrielle Union, and Jeremy Pope

The NYFF ended on October 16, with much success.  Be sure to check out these important films with women producers on the team.

Tár Movie release date: October 7, 2022
Till Movie release date: October 14, 2022
The Inspection release date: November 18, 2022

NYWIFT member Judy Davis on the NYFF red carpet

(Photo Credit for all photos: Judith Davis)